Year: 2017
Project(s):
Relevance
The Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium (MASGC) facilitates workshops and trainings, delivers professional development credits and provides technical assistance to local communities looking to improve their Community Rating System (CRS) scores. These activities help communities earn points through the National Flood Insurance Program’s CRS and reduce the flood insurance burden passed on to residents.
Response
In 2014-2017, MASGC organized and led 30 training sessions focused on increasing knowledge about the CRS serving over 1,162 constituents. In addition, Sea Grant received funding to research the Program for Public Information (PPI), a newly implemented CRS activity. As a result, a comprehensive workshop was held to assist communities in Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana with developing a PPI. MASGC provided direct technical assistance to the city of Biloxi to create and implement a PPI program, which will save the city money during their next CRS cycle visit (an evaluation to determine their flood insurance discount). Further, Sea Grant staff provide support and regular facilitation for the Coastal Hazard Outreach Strategy Team (CHOST), the CRS users group for coastal Mississippi. MASGC staff organize and participate in major outreach events for CHOST including annual mall outreach, The Home Product Show and presentations for target audiences, such as realtors, developers, contractors and insurance agents.
Results
Sea Grant provided more than 224 professional certification hours in CRS-related topics, serving over 1,162 local constituents. In addition, Sea Grant’s role in CRS activities saved seven local communities on average $24,271 in flood insurance premiums for a total of $679,600 from 2014-2017 ($169, 900 in savings per year). Through its direct involvement with CHOST, Sea Grant reached multiple communities and organized presentations and training sessions catered to the information needs of its local members. In addition, Sea Grant provided technical assistance to the City of Biloxi to implement the Program for Public Information, a new CRS requirement. Once adopted, the PPI will allow the city to maintain its class 5 CRS rating and provide additional insurance savings for residents.
Recap
MASGC assisted seven local communities in saving $169,000 a year in reduced flood insurance premiums through its facilitation of the CHOST user group, technical assistance with the PPI and professional development trainings. (2017)