Flood Insurance Workshops To Be Held In Missouri
Release Date: March 5, 2003
Release Number: R7-03-08
» 2003 Region VII News Releases
Kansas City, MO -- National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) officials will hold three workshops in Missouri during March to help insurance producers, lenders and community/government officials better understand the flood insurance program. The workshops will be held in Jefferson City, Canton and Arnold.
"Flooding is the most common type of disaster to which FEMA responds," said Richard Hainje, director of FEMA's Region VII office in Kansas City. "FEMA continues to reach out to communities to explain the importance and benefits of purchasing and retaining flood insurance policies."
Hainje noted that 10 years ago, the Great Midwest Floods of 1993 inundated the four states of Region VII-Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. "While that was an extraordinary summer, we should all remember that flooding can occur at any time, and individuals, businesses and communities should protect themselves now by purchasing flood insurance."
The dates and locations for the workshops are:
| March 11 | Jefferson City | Jefferson City Police Station Classroom 401 Monroe |
| March 12 | Canton | Culver Stockton College Meadors Lounge |
| March 13 | Arnold | Arnold Community Building 2900 Arnold Tenbrook Rd. |
The seminars run from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m., with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency staff will conduct the afternoon sessions on floodplain management. There is a $30 registration fee per person and pre-registration is advised. To obtain registration forms and additional information, call Sonja Wood or Dean Ownby at 913-780-4238 or send an e-mail message to swood1@csc.com.
These workshops are co-sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and Johnson County Community College.
Missouri insurance agents, land surveyors, BOCA, and ASFPM-National members can receive four hours of continuing education units for both the morning insurance session and for the afternoon floodplain management session. Missouri real estate licensees and brokers can receive three hours of continuing education credits for each session.
"It is important that we provide as much assistance as possible to local officials, lenders, agents and realtors regarding the National Flood Insurance Program," Hainje said. "Having businesses and individuals covered by flood insurance means less financial risk for them in the event of a flood. Increased flood insurance coverage in flood-prone areas also means fewer tax dollars are likely to be spent on future flood-related disasters."
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 4.3 million NFIP policies, representing more than $625 billion in coverage are in force in nearly 20,000 participating communities nationwide. Flood insurance can be purchased from any licensed property insurance agent for properties in participating communities.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 19-Mar-2003 15:53:46