Affordable Flood Insurance
Congress initiated the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in 1968. Affordable flood insurance is available to citizens of communities that adopt approved flood management regulations.
- The Federal Insurance Administration (FIA), part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), administers the NFIP.
- Flood insurance not available in communities that choose not to participate in the NFIP.
- Eligibility for state and federal post-flooding disaster assistance requires NFIP participation.
NFIP Eligibility Criteria - Whatcom County
- Criteria require local development restrictions for flood-prone areas.
- Federal guidelines are established as local law through each Whatcom County community.
- The Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance, Title 17, sets development restrictions for floodplain areas in unincorporated county.
- Small cities and the Lummi Nation also administer their own NFIP programs.