If Jefferson City residents want flood insurance, it's available at an affordable premium, according to state and federal emergency management officials who led a Flood Insurance Open House at City Hall this week.
Floods, flood insurance, stormwater and the municipal infrastructure that handles stormwater have been issues of citywide concern since the flash floods of August and September.
"The FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and SEMA (State Emergency Management Agency) representatives did a great job of explaining the program," said Don Fontana, a civil engineer in the city's Department of Public Works.
Although turnout was slim for the open house on a cold, rainy day, Fontana said, "If there is interest from the community, they are willing to attend another flood insurance open house in the future."
The city held the open house "so any resident could have the opportunity to speak to representatives from FEMA and SEMA, who are much more knowledgeable about all aspects of flood insurance than city staff are," Fontana said.
"As a result of the major rain events that hit Jefferson City on Aug. 1, Aug. 12 and Sept. 9-10, many structures received water damage in locations throughout the city in the regulated flood plain but also in areas outside the regulated flood plain," Fontana said. "In responding to the various calls, it became obvious that many residents thought their property had to lie within the regulated flood plain in order for them to be eligible to purchase flood insurance, which is not the case."
Fontana and Public Works Director Matt Morasch are the city's experts on the issues of floods and stormwater.
Fontana added, "Any resident of a community that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is eligible to buy flood insurance. The rates are dependent upon which flood zone the property lies in."
The national average for flood insurance premiums for homeowners is about $700, FEMA and SEMA officials report.
Sara Henry, a FEMA flood specialist based in Kansas City, was on hand Wednesday to answer questions. For those who didn't attend and have questions, she directed them to the NFIP website, floodsmart.gov.
Henry distributed a list of 17 Jefferson City insurance agencies that sell flood insurance. One resident at the open house said her agent advised her he did not sell flood insurance. Henry said insurance agents were not required to offer the product, which is readily available through others in the business.
Henry is available via email at [email protected]. FEMA is one of the agencies under the Department of Homeland Security network.
The Flood Insurance Open House is just one of the efforts by Jefferson City officials to respond to residents' concerns about the flash floods of August and September and preparations for future floods.
The next opportunity for residents to discuss the matter will be a brown bag luncheon meeting of the City Council's public works and planning committees, scheduled for 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 8 in the Boone-Bancroft Room at City Hall.