Floodplain Management

 The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which works closely with private insurance companies to offer flood insurance. In 1968, Congress created the NFIP to help provide a means for property owners to financially protect themselves. 

Since standard homeowners' insurance does not cover flooding, it is important to have protection from floods associated with heavy rains, melting snow, or other conditions that impact the city. 

The NFIP offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners if their community participates in the NFIP. Participating communities agree to adopt and enforce ordinances that meet or exceed FEMA requirements to reduce the risk of flooding. 

The NFIP's Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. 

As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community actions meeting the three goals of the CRS:

1. Reduce flood damage to insurable property.
2. Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP.
3. Encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management. 

Regional Floodplain Management

Alpine County, Carson City, Churchill County, Douglas County and Lyon County are in the Carson River Watershed.  Each county has the potential to impact the downstream communities making flooding a watershed-wide challenge.

From Carson Water Subconservancy District

A Regional Floodplain Management Plan was developed in 2008 to create a similar vision and mechanism to achieve goals related to floodplain management. The five counties within the Carson River Watershed adopted it and are implementing within their communities.  The Plan was most recently updated in 2018.