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The floodplain manager is the principal community administrator responsible for the daily implementation of the community’s flood loss reduction activities, including enforcing the community’s flood damage prevention ordinance; updating community flood maps, plans, and policies and carrying out administrative activities related to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Most community floodplain managers have a primary job title and/or job discipline other than floodplain manager, such as Zoning or Building Administrator, Municipal Engineer, Public Works Director, Municipal Planner, Community Development Director, Emergency Manager, Stormwater Manager, or Mayor..

Regardless of their job title, the floodplain manager should be able to help a property owner identify some of the information needed to figure out which mitigation strategy would work best for their situation. They should be able to advise the homeowner on whether their property or structure is located in a federally designated Special Flood Hazard Area, what the source and expected depth of the flooding might be, and, potentially, if the property or structure has flooded in the past. Depending on the community, they may or may not be able to recommend floodproofing options, provide design assistance for flood proofing techniques, or make specific recommendations for professionals who can design a mitigation technique. If the homeowner has already chosen a mitigation option or technique, the floodplain manager should be able to direct the homeowner to information about any permits required by the community.

When looking to contact a community or county floodplain manager, it is recommended that a property owner contact the general information contact point for the community and ask for the floodplain manager or the person who is responsible for flood responses in the community or county.

The following are questions that a property owner should ask the floodplain manager:

• Is my home/business located in a Special Flood Hazard Area? If so, then ask:
  • What flood zone is my home/business located in?
  • What is the Base Flood Elevation for my home/business?
  • Does the community have any records of flooding of my home/business?
  • Are there plans for a flood project that will protect my home/business?
• Will I need to obtain a permit if I have flood mitigation work done on my home/business? If so, what permits?
• Does the community offer any flood mitigation assistance?
• Do you know of any examples of flood mitigation efforts in our community? If so, then ask:
  • What types of flood mitigation have been done?
  • Can you provide information on the cost of the flood mitigation?
  • Can you facilitate my contacting other property owners to obtain information on their flood mitigation projects?

The following are questions that the floodplain manager may ask the property owner:

• Do you carry flood insurance?
• Has your home/business flooded? If yes, then they may ask:
  • How many times has it flooded?
  • How recently did it flood?
  • What flooded and how deep was the water?
  • Were there any issues (blocked storm drain or culvert, failed sump pump, nearby roadwork or land development/construction, etc.) that caused the structure to flood?
• How is water getting into your structure? (weep holes, doorways, windows, etc.)
• How old is your structure (home/business)?
• Have there been any modifications or changes to the structure or grading on the property?
• Do you have an Elevation Certificate for your home/business structure?
• What type(s) of flood mitigation are you interested in?

Local permitting officials include building code, zoning, and other code officials. They enforce pertinent local codes, ordinances, laws, and regulations with impartiality. Permitting officials respond to inquiries, complaints, and requests for service in a fair, tactful, firm, and timely manner. This oversight may include checking to see if work is being done with a permit, by code, etc.; responding to complaints from neighbors; inspecting questionable activities observed while driving by; and responding to questions from citizens.

If the code official has been assigned the responsibility of floodplain management, their functions will also include the responsibilities of the local floodplain manager (See Local Floodplain Manager). If they have not, they should be able to direct you to the individual who does fulfill the role of floodplain manager for your local government.

A property owner should ask the permitting official the following question:

• Do I need to obtain a permit to have flood mitigation work done on my home/business? If so, what permit(s)?

An American Institute of Architects-certified (AIA) Architect can review various flood mitigation options, and provide recommendations and a design for your specific structure. Depending on the complexity of the flood mitigation technique, the local government may require that the design be prepared and sealed by an AIA Architect. It is recommended that the Architect coordinate any design with the local Floodplain Manager and Building, Permitting, or Code Officials.

You may find an Architect by searching online using the search phrase “architects near me” or use the American Institute of Architects’ online search. When contacting an Architect, you may want to ask whether the Architect has experience with flood mitigation design and if they are knowledgeable on floodplain standards in your locale. While many Architects have minimal to no experience with flood mitigation designs, it is more important for the Architect to be knowledgeable about floodplain standards.

The following are questions that a property owner should ask the architect:

• Are you licensed, and is your license up-to-date?
• Do you have experience with flood mitigation design?
• Are you knowledgeable on floodplain standards in my community?

A professional engineer can review various flood mitigation options and provide recommendations and a design for your specific structure. Depending on the complexity of the flood mitigation technique, a local government may require that the design be prepared and sealed by a professional engineer. It is recommended that the engineer coordinate any design with the local Floodplain Manager and building, permitting or code officials. It should be noted that some locales may require a professional Structural Engineer.

If searching online for an engineer, you may wish to search for “civil engineers near me” or “structural engineers near me.” When contacting the engineer, you may wish to inquire if they have experience with flood mitigation design and if they are knowledgeable on floodplain standards in your locale. While many engineers have minimal to no experience with flood mitigation designs, it is more important for the engineer to be knowledgeable about the local floodplain standards.

The following are questions that a property owner should ask the engineer:

• Are you licensed, and is your license up-to-date?
• Do you have experience with flood mitigation design?
• Are you knowledgeable on floodplain standards in my community?

The contractor is responsible for performing installation or construction work to complete the flood mitigation project. When selecting a contractor, you should request estimates from at least three qualified contractors. Evaluate the contractors’ reputation, skills, and pricing before contracting for the work. The contractors’ estimates should include a detailed scope of work and itemized prices. Inform the contractors that they are responsible for obtaining all of the necessary permits for the project. You or your contractor will be responsible for obtaining any required post-project certifications, such as an Elevation Certificate or Floodproofing Certificate. You should not enter into a contract for the work before receiving final approval of the mitigation design from the local permitting authority.

The lender is the bank or company to which you make your mortgage payment. While the lender may encourage your flood mitigation efforts, they typically are not involved in the process.

The following are questions that a property owner should ask their lender.

• Am I required to have flood insurance?

Your local Insurance Agent may be able to provide some limited assistance regarding the impact of flood mitigation on your flood insurance premium. The Insurance Agent cannot advise on which method to choose, but may be able to provide insight on its impact on your premium and in some unique situations, may be able to assist in obtaining additional insurance funds to assist in mitigating the structure.

If you are located in a FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area, you may be required by your mortgage company to carry flood insurance. You may wish to consider the impact of the various flood mitigation options on your insurance premium. To do this, you will need to contact your agent and ask what information they need for rating your structure and ask how the various flood mitigation options may impact your rates.

If you have a flood policy through the National Flood Insurance Program and your structure has been designated as “substantially damaged” following a catastrophic flood event, you may be eligible to receive an “Increased Cost of Compliance” payment to provide financial assistance for your flood mitigation efforts. Your Floodplain Manager can advise if the structure has been substantially damaged.

Staff within the Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate (OFIA) are tasked to advocate for NFIP customers with compassion and fairness. OFIA staff members have expertise and experience handling complex cases across floodplain mapping, floodplain management, flood insurance, and hazard mitigation assistance. OFIA staff can help property owners:

• Understand flood hazards and map revisions, and their potential impact on customers
• Complete Letters of Map Change
• Understand floodplain management requirements
• Find out how to reduce their flood risk
• Verify the accuracy of insurance pricing
• Navigate the insurance claims process
• Learn about the NFIP
• Identify what types of hazard mitigation assistance are available and find resources explaining how to apply for assistance

The following are potential questions to ask a FEMA Office of the Flood Insurance Advocate representative:

• Is my property located in an area at risk of flooding?
• Where do I obtain my community’s flood map and find out how to interpret what the map shows?
• What are the floodplain management requirements for my area?
• Where can I learn about flood insurance?
• What type(s) of flood mitigation techniques should I consider?
• Is financial assistance available for implementing mitigation?
• Who else should I speak with regarding my flood risk?

Staff within the FEMA Mapping and Insurance eXchange (FMIX) can assist property owners with questions regarding floodplain mapping and flood insurance. The FMIX provides a full range of information to help customers make informed decisions around insurance and risk. FMIX staff can connect customers with technical experts who specialize in computer modeling, GIS mapping, insurance underwriting and claims, and computer software programs used for loss estimation determinations.

The following are potential questions to ask a FEMA Mapping and Insurance eXchange representative:

• How do I locate a flood map for my area?
• How do I interpret what is shown on the flood map?
• Where can I learn about flood insurance?
• Can you answer my flood insurance questions?

Under the National Historic Preservation Act, every state and U.S. Territory must have a State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO). With regard to flood risk reduction, the main task of the SHPO is to review proposed mitigation activities for potential impacts on historic properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. If your historic property is registered, you will need to consult with your state’s SHPO to avoid endangering your registration with any proposed mitigation project.

The following are potential questions to ask the State Historic Preservation Officer:

• Is my property listed on the National Register of Historic Places?
• Is flood risk mitigation allowed for a historic property?
• What restrictions are there for mitigating a historic property?
• What permits are required for mitigating a historic property?

The Tribal Historic Preservation Officer (THPO) is designated by a federally recognized Native American tribe, as approved by the National Park Service, to assume some or all of the functions of State Historic Preservation Officers on Tribal lands in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act. While the THPO does not necessarily work regularly around flood loss, they are responsible for providing assistance to tribal residents, as well as state and federal agencies, on the regulatory requirements for protecting sites of cultural, historical, and religious significance when mitigating any flood risk at these sites.

The following are potential questions to ask the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer:

• Is my property identified as a significant tribal cultural, historical, or religious site?
• Is flood risk mitigation allowed for my property?
• What restrictions are there for mitigating my flood risk?
• What permits are required for mitigation projects on my property?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has partnered with a nationwide network of universities to create a system of “extension” services. The original intent was to provide rural areas across the country with advice from local experts regarding all things agriculture and farming, but it has since expanded to include urban areas and topics beyond agriculture. Extension offices are located in counties and universities and are operated by university-employed and volunteer experts in specific topics, including soil, landscaping, climatology, streamflow hydrology and hydraulics, and disaster education, preparedness and recovery. Because there are so many extension offices located throughout each state – one in almost every county in the United States – they can provide highly localized information.

Each state’s Extension Service can be found online by searching for “state extension service near me” or searching the USDA Land-Grant University Website Directory. If you reach out to your state’s Extension Service, the following are questions a property owner should ask:

• Does the state’s Extension Service provide assistance or resources for flood mitigation activities? If so, what assistance or resources are available?
• Can this institution provide information regarding flood risk?
• How can I determine my flood risk?
• What mitigation techniques should be considered for my level of flood risk?