Flood Insurance Workshops to be Held in Missouri 

The seminar is co-sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and the Missouri Floodplain Managers' Association. Additional sponsors include the City of Columbia, Farmer's Electric Co-op in Chillicothe, and the City of Independence. The workshops are designed to help insurance agents, realtors and local government officials better understand the flood insurance program.

"Flooding is the most common type of disaster to which FEMA responds," said John Miller, director of FEMA's Region VII office in Kansas City. "With that in mind, FEMA continues to reach out to communities to explain the importance and benefits of purchasing and maintaining flood insurance policies."

Miller noted that recent flooding in Missouri and Kansas further supports the fact that flooding can occur at any time, and individuals, businesses and communities should protect themselves by purchasing flood insurance.

The dates and locations for the seminar are:

The seminars run from 8:00 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. The morning session will focus on basic flood insurance requirements and the afternoon session on community floodplain management issues. The information provided also may be helpful to community officials in administering local floodplain management ordinances and how they can help community residents obtain flood insurance coverage. Seminars like these are important to help communities better prepare for a possible flood event, Miller said.

"It is important that we provide as much assistance as possible to local officials, lenders and agents regarding the National Flood Insurance Program and enforcement of their local floodplain ordinances," Miller said. "Having businesses and individuals covered by flood insurance means less financial risk for them in the event of a flood." Also, increased flood insurance coverage in flood-prone areas means fewer tax dollars are likely to be spent on future flood-related disasters, Miller added.

"Recent flooding in Missouri and Kansas again proved flood insurance is an important risk management tool to the taxpayers," Miller said.

There is a $25 registration fee per person and pre-registration is advised. Missouri insurance producers earn eight hours of continuing education credit for attending the all-day session; real estate, six hours. Staff from the Missouri SEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program will conduct the seminars. To register or to obtain additional information, call (913) 780-4238.

The NFIP, administered by FEMA, makes federally backed flood insurance available in communities that adopt and enforce floodplain management ordinances to reduce future flood damages. Currently, more than 4 million NFIP policies, representing more than $460 billion in coverage are in force in more than 19,000 participating communities. Flood insurance can be purchased from any licensed property insurance agent.

Last Modified: Thursday, 15-Jan-2004 10:18:59