KAMM Updates

Kentucky Watches, Warnings or Advisories – Weather Alerts  Follow the alerts, link here.

 

KAMM Membership – 2021

Membership is $25.00 and based on the calendar year (January – December).  Link to Join KAMM.

 

Save the Date

KAMM 2021 Virtual Conference  September 20 – 23, 2021

 

Announcing Nominations Open for KAMM Mitigation Awards

KAMM is pleased to announce that it is receiving nominations from KAMM members for the 2021 KAMM Mitigation Awards! 

KAMM will recognize a Mitigation Manager of the Year and a Mitigation Project of the Year.  Do you know an individual, a representative of a community or agency, or a project that exemplifies mitigation?  If so, please nominate them for an award. 

Link to 2021 Mitigation Awards Announcement

Link to 2021 Mitigation Awards to Nominate 

 

KAMM Regional Training Webinars Overview

Thank you for joining us during March for our Regional Training in all four KAMM Regions. We had a great attendance and awesome speakers.  

Link to KAMM Regional Webinar Training Overview and Presentations.  

 

Kentucky Major Disaster Declaration

President Biden has signed the Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance (PA) relating to the Severe Winter Storms, Landslides, and Mudslides in 44 Kentucky counties.  The incident period for these storms is Feb. 8-19, 2021.

Learn more about FEMA’s PA program here or on KAMM’s website.

The federal Disaster Declaration includes public assistance for the counties of Bath, Boyd, Boyle, Breathitt, Carter, Casey, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Elliott, Estill, Fleming, Floyd, Garrard, Greenup, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Lewis, Lincoln, Madison, Magoffin, Marion, Martin, McCreary, Menifee, Mercer, Morgan, Montgomery, Nicholas, Nelson, Owsley, Perry, Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, Wayne, Whitley and Wolfe.  Damages assessed by state, local and federal representatives are projected to exceed $30 million.  A request for additional counties may follow as damage assessments are ongoing.

FEMA Public Assistance Program will provide funding to eligible applicants for allowable costs associated with debris removal, emergency protective actions and restoration of impacted infrastructure. 

In addition, all areas in the Commonwealth of Kentucky are eligible for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides assistance for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards.

In the separate incidence of record flooding across the commonwealth, FEMA has completed damage assessments of over 2,100 homes examining requests for federal support of individual assistance. FEMA is in the last phase of reviewing damage assessments for impacts to over 40 county infrastructures. Governor Beshear will submit an application for a second federal disaster declaration immediately upon learning of completion of the findings.

 

Training Opportunities

FEMA Elevation Certificate Videos

December 18, 2020

The CRS Program has just released 8 videos that cover training on the FEMA Elevation Certificate (EC).  The videos describe each Section of the EC and explain which fields on the form are required for CRS purposes and why.  Each video explains the most common errors we see on the forms and how to avoid them.  We also have 2 videos covering general issues associated with ECs such as form date rules, page rules, how to handle annexations, how to handle Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) changes after a building is permitted, and how to document different kinds of buildings.  And lastly, we have a video on how to correct and EC once you find one with errors.

The videos should be watched beginning with Section A of the form, and ending with “How to Correct an Elevation Certificate.” They are intended to serve community officials, but please feel free to share these videos with the surveyors, engineers, and architects in your community who fill out these forms.  They will benefit greatly from them as well.   

  1. How To Fill Out Section A For CRS Purposes
  2. How to Fill Out Section B For CRS Purposes
  3. How to Fill Out Section C & D For CRS Purposes
  4. How to Fill Out Section E & F For CRS Purposes
  5. How to Fill Out Section G For CRS Purposes
  6. General Issues, Part 1
  7. General Issues, Part 2
  8. How To Correct an EC

Link to the YouTube videos:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRJw9u8nGNwP8sFZFMCyDqWNR1XnmzkpR

 

CRS Webinars and EMI courses

Link to our CRS webpage for detailed schedule  http://www.kymitigation.org/crs-webinars/ 

 

Program Updates and Releases

FEMA Updates the NFIP Flood Insurance Manual

March 2021

The latest update to the National Flood Insurance Program’s “Flood Insurance Manual” is now available at FEMA.gov.  The update is effective April 1.

FEMA regularly updates the manual to enhance the customer experience and evolve the NFIP into a world-class organization.  The Flood Insurance Manual incorporates the minimal program changes announced in October 2020 and the effective April 1 changes. 

Updates include: 

  • The list of eligibility requirements to the Community Rating System.
  • The premium rates for policies written or renewed by April 1.
  • The severe repetitive loss premium and reserve fund assessment percentages for policies written or renewed on or after April 1. 

Two additional updates will be effective as of Jan. 1, 2022:

Base premiums for preferred risk policies and newly mapped rated policies written or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2022. 

  • Premium multiplier tables for policies rated under the newly mapped procedure written or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2022. 

The April 2021 edition also replaces outdated content, clarifies guidance and replaces physical mailing addresses with email addresses.  The manual does not change flood insurance coverage or supersede the terms and conditions of the standard flood insurance policy.

 

FEMA Releases Updated NFIP Technical Bulletin 3 and 6 that Focus on Dry Floodproofing

January 27, 2021

FEMA Technical Bulletins (TBs) provide guidance about how to comply with the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) minimum floodplain management requirements for building performance.  The TBs are primarily for use by state and local officials responsible for interpreting and enforcing building codes and NFIP regulations.  They are also helpful to design professionals, builders and homeowners.

The updated TBs will include information from the latest International Codes® (I-Codes®) and American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Standards.  They will also have information about best practices and input from stakeholders about a variety of issues.  The TBs added the updates to improve usability, credibility and streamline content.

To download the Technical Bulletins, link to TB 3 and 6. 

 

NFIP Technical Bulletin 3

Requirements for the Design and Certification of Dry Floodproofed Non-Residential and Mixed-Use Buildings in Special Flood Hazard Areas in Accordance with the NFIP

TB 3 provides guidance on the NFIP requirements for the design and certification of dry floodproofing of non-residential and non-residential portions of mixed-use buildings.  The current version of TB 3 was last published in April 1993.

Updates include: 

  • Discussion of the factors and planning considerations that influence the decision-making process when determining the feasibility of dry floodproofing a building.
  • Step-by-step instruction regarding dry floodproofing design requirements.
  • An example about seepage calculation that illustrates how to determine if the structure can be considered substantially impermeable.
  • Instructions for the NFIP Floodproofing Certificate

 

NFIP Technical Bulletin 6

Requirements for Dry Floodproofed Below-Grade Parking Areas Under Non-Residential and Mixed-Use Buildings in Special Flood Hazard Areas in Accordance with the NFIP

TB 6 provides guidance on the NFIP requirements for the design and certification of dry floodproofed below-grade parking areas.  The current version of TB 6 was last published in April 1993.

Updates include:

  • Identification of issues specific to dry floodproofing below-grade parking areas.
  • References to TB 3 for extensive guidance on design requirements.
  • Updated discussion on design considerations such as protecting points of entry, managing internal flow of seepage and equalization of flood loads vertically in multi-level below grade parking areas.

 

FEMA Releases Addendum for the Community Rating System Manual

January 2021

FEMA recently released the Community Rating System 2021 Addendum, a companion guide for the current Coordinator’s Manual. Together, these documents establish and explain various elements of the Community Rating System program including an official description, how the program operates, and how class ratings (Class 10 to Class 1) are determined.  The documents will remain effective until a fully revised edition of the Coordinator’s Manual is issued in the future.

The program provides incentives to encourage local jurisdictions to implement floodplain management best practices that exceed the minimum community-based floodplain management requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program.  In return, NFIP flood insurance policy holders can receive reductions in their flood insurance premium.

With the 2021 Addendum, FEMA incorporates three new opportunities for communities to earn credit for a reduction in NFIP policy premiums.  These include:

  • Protecting threatened and endangered species.
  • Mitigating substantial damage.
  • Promoting flood insurance.

In addition, new prerequisites allow for both new credit opportunities and simplification for communities.  These prerequisites include:

  • A plan for managing floodplain-related construction certificates (including elevation certificates) to reach Class 9.
  • The implementation of 1-foot of freeboard to reach Class 8. 

Link to the 2021 Addendum – fema_community-rating-system_coordinator-manual_addendum-2021.  Or for more information, view the  on the FEMA website. 

Frequently Asked Questions- Link to the FAQs – fema_community-rating-system_coordinator-manual_addendum-2021_FAQs

 

USGS Unveils Mobile Flood Tool for the Nation

The U.S. Geological Survey released a mobile tool that provides real-time information on water levels, weather, and flood forecasts all in one place. The new USGS National Water Dashboard will help inform forecasting, response, and recovery efforts for agencies such as the National Weather Service, FEMA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other federal, state and local agencies.

 

FEMA Mobile App Introduces New Mitigate Your Risk Section


Features in the App

  • Receive real-time alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide.
  • Share real-time notifications with loved ones via text, email and social media.
  • Learn emergency safety tips for over 20 types of disasters, including fires, flooding, hurricanes, snowstorms, tornadoes, volcanoes and more.
  • Locate open emergency shelters and disaster recovery centers in your area where you can talk to a FEMA representative in person.
  • Prepare for disasters with a customizable emergency kit checklist, emergency family plan, and reminders.
  • Connect with FEMA to register for disaster assistance. 
  • Toggle between English and Spanish.
  • Follow the FEMA blog.

Download the FEMA Mobile App.

 

Publications

FEMA P-2090/NIST SP-1254 –

Recommended Options for Improving the Built Environment for Post-Earthquake Reoccupancy and Functional Recovery Time

January 1, 2021

This report provides a set of options in the form of recommendations, tasks, and alternatives for improving the built environment, which have been developed and assessed by the Committee of Experts.  It describes community resilience, defines the concepts of reoccupancy and functional recovery, and explains the relationship among these three ideas.  It explains why reoccupancy and functional recovery concepts are needed, describes a target performance state, and identifies potential cost and benefits associated with implementing enhanced seismic design.

Link to the Report fema_p-2090_nist_sp-1254_functional-recovery_01-01-2021

 

FEMA P-2139: Short-Period Building Collapse Performance and Recommendations for Improving Seismic Design

December 30, 2020

FEMA P-2139, Short-Period Building Collapse Performance and Recommendations for Improving Seismic Design, is a four-part technical resource that provides the findings and conclusions related to this paradox.  The document recommends how to improve seismic design for short-period buildings.  It includes documents of a multi-year investigation of the response behavior and collapse performance of different structural systems to identify causes and develop solutions for short-period buildings.

The three studies presented in this series investigate three structural systems: wood light-frame, special reinforced masonry shear wall and steel special concentrically braced frame systems.  Based on the analyses of the select structural systems, the document recommends a new approach to model seismic collapse performance and ways to resolve the paradox.       

The recommendations aim to strengthen short period buildings across the nation by improving design, predicting collapse potential and enhancing building codes.  The four volumes consist of

Volume 1 – Overarching Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations summarizes results, conclusions and recommendations from the three-system specific studies and presents a common understanding of the seismic response and collapse performance of short-period buildings.

Volume 2 – Study of One-to-Four Story Wood Light-Frame Buildings summarizes results, conclusions and recommendations from the study of wood light-frame systems.

Volume 3 – Study of One-to-Four Story Special Reinforced Masonry Shear Wall Buildings summarizes results, conclusions and recommendations from the study of special reinforced masonry shear wall systems.

Volume 4, Study of One-to-Four Story Steel Special Concentrically Braced Frame Buildings summarizes results, conclusions, and recommendations from the study of steel special concentrically braced frame systems.

To download FEMA P-2139 and for more information on FEMA’s Earthquake and Wind Program Branch click here.

 

FEMA Building Science Resources to Assist with Reconstruction After an Extreme-Wind Event

December 9, 2020

FEMA has produced numerous publications detailing best practices for natural hazard mitigation associated with extreme-wind impacts.  This Fact Sheet summarizes a few of the readily available publications and resources that can be used by homeowners, as well as design and construction professionals, during reconstruction following extreme-wind events.

Link to the informative Fact Sheet – https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_building-science-resources-assist-reconstruction-after-extreme-wind-event.pdf

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Mitigation Matters!  

Have questions, contact us at help@kymitigation.org.

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