Why was the National Flood Insurance Program established by Congress?
For decades, the national response to flood disasters was generally limited to constructing flood-control works such as dams, levees, sea-walls, and the like, and providing disaster relief to flood victims. This approach did not reduce losses, nor did it discourage unwise development. In some instances, it may have actually encouraged additional development. To compound the problem, the public generally could not buy flood coverage from insurance companies, and building techniques to reduce flood damage were often overlooked.


In the face of mounting flood losses and escalating costs of disaster relief to the general taxpayers, the U.S. Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP). The intent was to reduce future flood damage through community floodplain management ordinances, and provide protection for property owners against potential losses through an insurance mechanism that requires a premium to be paid for the protection.

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1. What happens when a community does not enforce its floodplain management ordinance?
2. What is probation?
3. When can a community be placed on probation?
4. How long will probation last?
5. What penalties are imposed when a community is placed on probation?
6. What is suspension?
7. What happens if a community does not participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?
8. Explain the discounts on premiums for the Community Rating System (CRS) for communities that go beyond the minimum requirements to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
9. What procedures must be followed for a community to participate in the Community Rating System (CRS)?
10. How can a community acquire the CRS Coordinator's Manual and other information describing the program?
11. What is the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?
12. Why was the National Flood Insurance Program established by Congress?
13. How was the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) established and who administers it?
14. What is the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Write Your Own (WYO) Program?
15. Do the state insurance regulators have any jurisdiction over the National Flood Insurance Program in their respective states?
16. How does the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) benefit property owners, taxpayers, and communities?
17. What is the definition of a community?
18. Why is participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) on a community basis rather than on an individual basis?
19. Is community participation mandatory?
20. What is the National Flood Insurance Program's Emergency Program?
21. What is the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Regular Program?