HomeMy Public PortalAboutCOTI_PR20130916_FloodInsuranceSeminar.docPRESS RELEASE: Contact: Tybee Island City Hall
For immediate release (912) 786-4573
FEMA and Georgia DNR to Visit Tybee Island to Explain Insurance Changes
Tybee Island, Ga. – (September 16, 2013) The City of Tybee Island has invited representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Georgia Department of Natural
Resources to provide a presentation on the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act, followed by a question and answer session. The meeting will take place at Tybee City Hall, 403
Butler Avenue, on Wednesday, September 25th, at 6:30 p.m.
The speakers will also discuss measures that communities and property owners can take to reduce flood insurance premiums, the latest status update on coastal flood mapping in Georgia,
and the Community Rating System (CRS). Tybee Island participates in the CRS at a level 7, providing flood insurance discounts to policyholders.
Tybee Island Mayor Jason Buelterman notes, “It is very important that we all gain a greater understanding of the impacts of this new law on Tybee property owners.” The Mayor also wishes
to thank Congressman Jack Kingston on his help setting up this important meeting.
The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act, passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Obama on July 6, 2012, requires FEMA to eliminate flood insurance subsidies
and change how the program operates. Rates on almost all buildings in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) will be revised to reflect full flood risks. All of Tybee Island is located in
a SFHA.
On January 1, flood insurance rates for some older non-primary residences in SFHAs that received subsidized rates based on their pre-Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) status, began to
increase by 25 percent a year, and will do so until they reflect the full-risk rate (http://bsa.nfipstat.fema.gov/wyobull/2012/w-12043.pdf). The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
will begin eliminating subsidized premiums for other buildings October 1 (http://www.nfipiservice.com/Stakeholder/pdf/bulletin/w-12109.pdf).
Speakers will include: Susan Wilson, Chief, Floodplain Management and Insurance Branch, Mitigation Division, FEMA Region IV; Tim Russo, Floodplain Management Specialist, Floodplain Management
and Insurance Branch; and Tom Shillock, NFIP State Coordinator for Georgia, GA Department of Natural Resources. The representatives will bring a handout that provides an overview of
the Biggert-Waters legislation and other mitigation information. Mayor Buelterman will act as host for the meeting, and moderator during the Q&A session. Attendees can expect to leave
with a much better understanding of what they can do to reduce their flood insurance premium, and how their insurance costs are likely to change under the new law.
About Tybee Island, GA.: The City of Tybee Island, Georgia is on the outermost barrier island off the Savannah area coast. With a wild bird sanctuary, over three miles of ocean beaches,
and salt marshes on the back river, outdoor
recreation activities abound for visitors to the island. As a key defense point to the important Savannah port, Tybee’s Fort Screven, Tybee Post Theater, Fort Pulaski, and the Tybee
Island and Cockspur Lighthouses combine with the unique architectures of the island’s raised cottages to form a rich backdrop for history buffs. Attracting a strong artistic community,
there are several local supporting art galleries. Keeping the island interesting year round are several arts festivals, the Annual Pirate Fest, the Beach Bum Parade, St Patrick’s Day
celebrations, the Hot Rod Run, the Beach Bash, and the Christmas Parade, as well as fireworks displays on Independence and New Year’s Days off the Walter W. Parker Pier and Pavilion.
The Marine Science Center cooperates with Georgia’s DNR to protect threatened sea turtle species by searching for nests, protecting their eggs, and making sure hatchlings make it to
sea. For visitor information, stop by http://www.tybeevisit.com/, and to find more about the City of Tybee Island, visit our web site at http://www.cityoftybee.org/.
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