Stephen Deal
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium
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Status: Past
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Project Leaders
Project Date Range: 02-01-2022 to 01-31-2025
Objectives
Help existing CRS communities maintain or improve their overall CRS score. Reduce flood insurance costs for Mississippi and Alabama coastal communities. Increase number of Mississippi and Alabama coastal communities enrolled in the CRS program.
Methodology
Project investigator will work with Coastal Hazard Outreach Strategy Team (CHOST) and South Alabama Flood Engagement Team (SAFE-T) to identify knowledge gaps among communities related to CRS. Knowledge gaps will be addressed through workshops and webinars aimed at addressing specific questions communities have pertaining to CRS. Sea Grant will reach out to CRS experts and specialists to headline workshops and help guide communities through the intricacies of the program. One-on-one in-depth technical assistance will also be provided to communities interested in pursuing additional activities to improve their standing within the program. Communities that are currently not enrolled in CRS will be the subject of broader outreach initiatives aimed at highlighting the benefits of CRS participation and highlighting technical assistance Sea Grant can provide to help communities join CRS.
Rationale
The Community Rating System (CRS) provides a holistic approach to hazard mitigation and community resilience that requires communities to go beyond minimum standards. Communities that participate in CRS can reduce the cost of flood insurance premiums while developing activities to improve risk awareness and increase resilience. CRS is a nationally recognized standard for coastal resilience and has clear objectives that communities can undertake to improve their standing in the program. CRS is a highly rigorous program though and it takes considerable time for communities just to maintain their current standing. The program is also continually revised to improve effectiveness and with the implementation of FEMA’s new pricing methodology Risk Rating 2.0 occurring this year there is a real need for comprehensive technical assistance to ensure Risk Rating 2.0 is fully implemented within coastal communities. With aid from Sea Grant extension communities can pursue additional activities to improve CRS scores stay informed of changes to the program and enhance risk communication. Sea Grant with its connections to state and federal resilience partners has the resources at its disposal to serve as a valued partner in providing in-depth technical assistance and continuing education to coastal communities on CRS.