FEMA Reinstates Federal Flood Risk Standards

September 3, 2021

Reposted from NAHB Now on August 31, 2021

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Aug. 27 announced a new interim policy to partially implement the Federal Flood Risk Management Standards (FFRMS) that would require certain structures located in Special Flood Hazard Areas to conform to higher flood elevation standards if they use Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant funds.

Although the FFRMS was reinstated through Executive Order 14030 Climate-Related Financial Risk, signed by President Biden on May 20, the interim policy — effective immediately — is the first step toward implementation.

While further actions are anticipated by FEMA and other agencies to fully implement FFRMS, the interim policy applies to certain projects funded through hazard mitigation grant programs. Specifically, the interim policy applies to Fiscal Year 2021 funding for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) programs; the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) for any major disaster declared on or after Aug. 27 and assistance authorized for all 59 COVID-19 disaster declarations. In addition, it applies to HMGP Post Fire for any Fire Mitigation Assistance Grant (FMAG) declarations issued on or after Aug. 27.

The interim policy partially implements the FFRMS by requiring higher flood elevations for three types of actions — elevation, dry floodproofing and mitigation reconstruction — when done in the Special Flood Hazard Area. FEMA’s approach requires additional elevation (Base Flood Elevation plus 2 feet) except in situations where doing so would result in the project being unable to meet applicable cost-effectiveness requirements.

For more information on the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants, visit FEMA’s website.

Fredericksburg Area Builder's Association

The Fredericksburg Area Builders Association (FABA), chartered in 1968 and incorporated in 1980 has hundreds of members both builders and associates. These members represent thousands of people whose livelihoods are directly tied to the building and building-related industries. FABA, a tax-exempt trade association, is affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the Home Builders Association of Virginia (HBAV). With its main purpose to create and maintain a favorable climate for the growth and development of the building industry, the Fredericksburg Area Builders Association seeks to develop and maintain high professional business standards with the ultimate goal of providing home ownership to all individuals and families in our area. Centrally located between Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital, and Richmond, Virginia, the state capital, FABA serves the historic City of Fredericksburg, VA area including the surrounding counties of Spotsylvania, Stafford, King George, Caroline, Culpeper and Orange.