Flood Risk: Mitigation and Solutions-Flood Risk: Mitigation and Solutions

Video Transcription

Video Summary

This Inland Marine Underwriters Association webinar, hosted by Eileen Monreale, featured Vicki Hartman of AAIS and Brian Shaw of Floodproofing.com discussing flood risk mitigation for buildings in flood zones. The presentation began with flood terminology, FEMA’s role, and National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) basics, noting that flood insurance is separate from standard policies and participation in NFIP requires adherence to floodplain management by communities.<br /><br />Vicki highlighted challenges in flood zone determination, especially for builder’s risk projects, and underwriting factors like base flood elevation (BFE), flood elevation certificates, and the importance of accounting for equipment value and potential flood damage. She described flood event types, recent catastrophic floods, and the NFIP’s operational deficit. Underwriting strategies include sublimits, higher deductibles, and requiring flood mitigation plans with designated deployment responsibility.<br /><br />Brian detailed floodproofing techniques: wet floodproofing (elevating structures with flood vents to equalize hydrostatic pressure) and dry floodproofing (making walls watertight and structural with barriers). He emphasized the ASCE 24-24 standards updating flood hazard areas and elevation requirements, with increasing protection for critical facilities, and mandatory annual inspections of flood barriers to ensure functionality. <br /><br />He described various mitigation products including engineered flood vents, automatic lifting flood gates, floodproof windows and glass walls, deployable barriers (flood logs, flood shields), point-of-use flood doors, and perimeter flood barriers like modular panels and water-filled barriers. Each product suits different building types and site constraints.<br /><br />The webinar stressed the importance of proper engineering, design, installation, and emergency operation plans, including training on barrier deployment and flood warning systems. Engaged Q&A covered topics such as softness in building stories, coverage exclusions, legitimacy of inflatable barriers, and NFIP’s financial deficits. Overall, flood mitigation combines structural techniques, regulatory compliance, and operational readiness to reduce flood losses effectively.

Asset Caption

Don't miss this opportunity to strengthen your understanding of flood risk management and mitigation! Gain valuable insight into managing and reducing flood exposure in this comprehensive session led by industry experts. This webinar covers:

- Understanding flood risk: types of flood maps and where to find key data
- A look at historical flood insurance data and trends
- Coverage review and limiting exposure, featuring a practical Flood Risk Checklist
- Effective mitigation techniques for buildings to improve loss outcomes and maintain business continuity
- Challenges and distinctions between new construction and existing buildings retrofits
- Elevation matters: understanding base flood elevation and freeboard
- Explain the differences between dry floodproofing and wet floodproofing techniques, including case studies and successful applications
- Reducing risk through engineered solutions, including active flood barriers, passive automatic gates, flood windows, and flood vents

The session wraps up with additional case studies and practical solutions.

Presented by:

Vicky Hartman
Product Leader, Inland Marine
AAIS

Brian Shaw, CFM
Senior Vice President
Floodproofing.com

Keywords

Inland Marine Underwriters Association

Eileen Monreale

Vicki Hartman

Brian Shaw

flood risk mitigation

flood zones

FEMA

National Flood Insurance Program

flood insurance underwriting

base flood elevation

floodproofing techniques

ASCE 24-24 standards

flood mitigation products