Year: 2021
Relevance
Biloxi experiences hurricanes and high annual rainfall, which can result in severe flash flooding - the impacts of which will intensify with sea level rise. In response to these flood risks, Biloxi enrolled in the Community Rating System (CRS) program. By engaging in CRS activities, such as developing a Program for Public Information (PPI), the city can improve its CRS score and lower flood insurance premiums. The PPI also provides city staff with a method to evaluate the effectiveness of local flood outreach.
Response
In anticipation of the CRS cycle visit, Sea Grant staff modified the PPI document to incorporate new changes in city flood outreach. A 2021 annual report was also written. The report highlighted flood outreach in 2021, summarized projects that might impact future flood communication and indicated changes made to the PPI activities sheet. Sea Grant staff shared the annual report and revised PPI document during an online PPI committee meeting that they organized.
Results
Biloxi received 288 points for CRS activity 330, which provides credit for information outreach and the PPI documentation process. In total, following the 2021 CRS Cycle review, Biloxi received 2,162 points, resulting in a Class 6 rating. This means activity 330 contributed to 13 percent of the total score. Communities with a PPI receive a 40 percent multiplier, so by multiplying activity 330 points by 40%, the total points attributable to the PPI is 115.
Recap
Sea Grant worked with city staff in Biloxi, Mississippi, to update the city's Program for Public Information (PPI) plan, which led to the city securing 115 points during a Federal Emergency Management Agency Community Rating System cycle visit. (2021)