Floodplain Information

Prior to 1968 the federal government's flood initiatives consisted of disaster relief to victims in the event of a flood, or flood control projects such as dams, levees and seawalls. While well intentioned, this approach did little to ease the financial burden of most flood victims. Worse, the public couldn’t buy flood coverage from most insurance companies, which regarded floods as too costly to insure.

National Flood Insurance Program

Congress established the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to address both the need for flood insurance and the need to lessen the devastating consequences of flooding. The goals of the program are twofold: to protect communities from potential flood damage through floodplain management, and to provide people with flood insurance. The NFIP has been offering flood insurance to homeowners, renters and business owners for decades, with the one condition that their communities adopt and enforce measures to help reduce the consequences of flooding.

The City of Moscow participates in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and by doing so, residents of the City of Moscow are able to obtain flood insurance which is the best protection home and business owners have against the devastating financial losses that floods cause. For more information, contact your insurance agent or company.

Community Rating System

In addition to participating in the NFIP program, the City of Moscow also participates within FEMA's Community Rating System (CRS) program. Under the CRS program all flood insurance holders within the City of Moscow receive a 10% discount on their flood insurance premiums in return for the City's participation in additional floodplain management and public education activities.

Floodplain Development Permit

All development, excavation and fill placement within the designated 100-year floodplain requires a floodplain development permit. Additionally, all new structures and substantial improvement of existing structures within the designated 100-year floodplain are required to be elevated two feet above the base flood elevation and must be documented with an elevation certificate.

Accuracy of Information

This webpage is reviewed regularly for broken links and outdated information. Please report any inaccuracies to 208-883-7035.