State of Rhode Island: Emergency Management Agency
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Rhode Island Floodplain Management
Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters in terms of human hardship and economic loss. Seventy-five percent of federal disaster declarations are related to flooding. Flooding in Rhode Island can result from a variety of situations, including spring snow melt combined with heavy rains, coastal storms, or "nor'easters," tropical storms and hurricanes, and the very dangerous potential of dam breeches. In an effort to reduce the losses of life and property associated with flooding and to reduce the rising costs of disaster relief after a flood, the federal government created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Broadly speaking, the NFIP is based on three large principles:
Participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is based on an agreement between communities and the Federal government. Through the NFIP, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides maps of hazardous areas and provides federally backed flood insurance. In return, communities agree to enact and enforce floodplain regulations intended to minimize the threats to life and property. All 39 communities in Rhode Island particpate in the NFIP.
Floodplain Management can be confusing, even to those considered to be "in the know." Our webpage intends to answer your many questions and provide useful information to all things flood related.
Upcoming Events
Click here for upcoming events.
Substantial Improvement/Substantial Damage Workshop
November 8th, 2011
This event will be held on at the
Towers in Narragansett. This training will discuss the triggers for both
substantial improvement and substantial damage. Local floodplain management
regulations and codes contain minimum NFIP requirements that apply not only
to new structures, but also to existing structures which are "substantially
improved (SI)" or "substantially damaged (SD)." Enforcing the SI/SD requirements is a very important part of a community's floodplain management responsibilities. There are many factors that local officials will need to
consider and several scenarios they may encounter while implementing the
SI/SD requirements. This training will discuss these issues and concepts.
(register here)
Floodplain Management 101
November 16th, 2011
This course is designed for newcomers to the field of Floodplain Management(FPM). This workshop covers the basic tenets of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the minimum administrative requirements to successfully implement a community FPM Program. Participants will learn fundamentals of individual and local responsibilities for managing flood risks and loss through proper permitting and planning. How to read a floodplain map and Flood Insurance Study (FIS), and to read/complete and Elevation Certificate will be covered in detail and through exercises.
(register here)
Coastal Construction Workshop
January 18th, 2012
This course will be focused for designers, contractors, and building officials in coastal Rhode Island to address issues such as construction in V and A Zones, designing for flood and wind loads, construction and maintenance issues, utility issues, and septic systems in the flood zone. The goal is to provide guidance and assistance on specific coastal construction issues to reduce future damages to residential buildings in coastal areas.
(register here)
For more information about upcoming events and other available training opportunities, please refer to our page on Floodplain Related Events and Training.
Flood Vents
Welcome to Flood Vents, the quarterly issued floodplain newsletter from the Rhode Island Floodplain Management Program. The intent of this newsletter is to provide floodplain management professionals with relative, up to date information on a variety of floodplain related issues. We hope you will find the information interesting and valuable.