Flood Hazard Information

In 1968, Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to provide affordable flood insurance to people who live in areas with the greatest risk of flooding; these areas are called Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). The NFIP makes federally backed flood insurance available in communities that agree to adopt and enforce floodplain management ordinances to reduce future flood damage. This is important since property owners must purchase flood insurance for property located within a SFHA.

Community Rating System

The Community Rating System (CRS) is a program developed by the Federal Insurance & Mitigation Administration to provide incentives for NFIP communities that implement more stringent floodplain standards than the minimum NFIP requirements. The CRS rewards these efforts with discounts on flood insurance premiums.

In North Miami, there are over 6,000 flood insurance policies in effect. The City’s CRS Class 6 rating generates over $1 million in savings on flood insurance premiums. Since flooding is the most common natural disaster, Florida Statutes mandate coverage equal to the cost of rebuilding or the maximum. The amount of protection should be equal to the value of your home and possessions.

Information Regarding Flooding

With the second longest coastline (1,350 miles) in the country after Alaska, Floridians can purchase flood insurance in any part of the state. Policies are written without exclusion for homeowners, renters, and commercial businesses. According to FEMA, urban drainage causes 20% to 25% of flood events in areas not designated high-risk flood zones. Please refer to this fact sheet in the event of an approaching hurricane, tropical storm, flash flood or heavy rainfall. During extended periods of heavy rainfall, low-lying areas within the City are subject to flooding.

This information is offered to help protect your property and reduce potential losses due to flooding. For more information about flood hazards, contact the City’s Floodplain Manager at 305-895-9820.

Discount

Did you know that North Miami homeowners receive a 20% discount on flood insurance? Because of the city of North Miami’s rating under FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System, policyholders who live in a Special Flood Hazard Area have enjoyed a 20% discount on their flood insurance premiums. Please visit the Miami-Dade County Flood Zone Map for your property flood zone details.

The City of North Miami currently holds a Class 6 CRS Rating as of May 1, 2018.

This classification equates to a 20% discount on new or renewing NFIP flood insurance policies for SFHA properties.