FEMA TB-2: How to Choose Flood-Resistant Materials

Agents #ICYMI: A new notification window was added to Wright Flood's NFIP Policy Summary page for policies with missing or unconfirmed rating data.   Why this pop-up matters:  -Ensures client policies reflect accurate rating data  -Helps avoid delays by flagging corrections in real time  -Keeps agents aligned with NFIP requirements and standards This new feature is designed to support agents by streamlining the workflow, improving accuracy, and strengthening confidence in every policy issued. Wright Flood is here to help you make the most of these improvements. Log in to the Agent Portal if you're an existing Wright Flood agent, or sign up to become a Wright Flood representative on our website at https://bit.ly/425MNvh. #InsuranceAgent #FEMA #NFIP #InsuranceIndustry #FloodInsurance #WrightFlood  

Government shutdown update:   The government shutdown is now in effect. Here’s what you need to know, and what steps you can take right now:   Social Security Verification X: eCBSV (electronic Consent Based SSN Verification) remains available. CBSV (wet-sign only Consent Based SSN Verification) is unavailable during the shutdown. Please do not submit SSA-89 requests until the government reopens.    Flood Report X: National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Lapse: New policies and renewals are temporarily unavailable. FEMA may issue temporary procedures, watch for updates. Private flood insurance can be accepted provided it meets federal standards.    Xactus is monitoring the situation closely. We’ll keep you updated so you can move forward with clarity and confidence as the shutdown continues.

National Flood Insurance Program Lapse. Knowledge is power, so here's what lenders need to know... While the federal government shutdown continues, NFIP is unable to issue new policies or process renewals. Here's some key considerations to stay compliant and keeping transactions on track. ✔️ Flood Insurance Is Still Required Even during a lapse, federal law mandates flood insurance for properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). Loans should not close without coverage. ✔️ Watch for FEMA Guidance FEMA typically issues bulletins outlining temporary procedures. Stay informed and follow their lead. ✔️ Private Flood Insurance Is an Option When NFIP policies can't be issued, lenders can accept private flood insurance to meet federal standards under the Interagency Final Rule. ✔️ Delay Closings or Escrow Premiums If coverage isn’t available, consider delaying the closing or escrowing funds to bind coverage once FEMA resumes operations. ✔️ NFIP Policy Renewals Have a 30-day Grace Period For existing in force that renew during a lapse, FEMA cannot issue the renewal until their operations resume. If the premium is paid during the grace period, coverage is typically retroactive to the expiration date. ✔️ Servicing Coverage Gap Risk If your borrower misses the renewal window and FEMA cannot process the payment, the property may be uninsured, putting you at risk of non-compliance with the FDPA. ✔️ Communicate with Borrowers and Document All Actions Transparency is key. Help borrowers understand their options and avoid delays. Keep records of your efforts to comply. Need more advice? Consult Xactus, specifically Steve Murchison about how to keep your pipeline moving while staying compliant. #FloodInsurance #NFIP #FEMA #GovernmentShutdown #RiskManagement

🏗️ Are your designs meeting BCC’s Minimum Flood Planning Levels and Undercroft Clearance Requirements? 🏗️ These two factors are critical for flood compliance, yet they’re often misunderstood or missed entirely during design. Understanding these BCC standards isn’t optional — it’s essential for compliant, flood-resilient design This reel breaks down what each requirement means. 💥 It could impact your next development approval. 👉 Watch before you lodge your plans, and avoid costly rework later. Follow us for more stormwater insights:-https://lnkd.in/gHzGRQJy   #FloodCompliance #HydraulicEngineer #BCCCompliance  #Undercroft #FloodPlanningLevels

The Government has updated its Planning Practice Guidance on flood risk, redefining what counts as a “reasonably available” site in the sequential test. This change could significantly impact planning applications in flood-prone areas – especially for sites not under the applicant’s control. Kiran Maher Associate in our Planning and Environment team, breaks down the new guidance and what it means for developers and landowners. Read more: https://hubs.li/Q03LTy1k0 #PlanningLaw #FloodRisk #SequentialTest #DevelopmentStrategy

Technical Oversight in Flood Recovery – A Costly Lesson I was recently asked to review a flood claim following the involvement of two previous drying contractors. What I discovered highlighted a serious lack of technical understanding in structural drying practices. The first contractor (who I won’t name, as their CEO is within my network) submitted a £20,000 invoice for pressure drying rock wool insulation in three rooms of a modernised Victorian property. The construction consisted of double-sheeted plasterboard ceilings with rock wool insulation above. Their method involved drilling multiple injection points — approximately one in every four holes penetrating through the ceiling finish — and running the system for three months. From a technical standpoint, this approach was fundamentally flawed. Mineral wool insulation (rock wool) loses both its thermal and acoustic properties once saturated and cannot be effectively restored through drying. The appropriate and most cost-effective solution would have been to lift the chipboard flooring in the above rooms and remove the insulation, allowing the structure to dry naturally or with targeted air movement and dehumidification. The second company introduced numerous Dri-Eaz 1800 refrigerant dehumidifiers and fan heaters, operating at internal conditions of 30°C with 32% RH. Excessive heat at that level promotes differential drying and risks damaging finishes and structural timbers. These examples highlight why technical knowledge and moisture diagnostics are essential in flood recovery. Using equipment without understanding building composition, vapour barriers, or material response leads to unnecessary costs, extended drying times, and reputational damage to our industry. Reportedly, the insurer authorised payment of the £20k invoice — a sum that, in my professional opinion, should be reviewed. Structural drying should be evidence-based, not equipment-led. Understanding materials and applying the correct methodology is what protects both the property and the insurer’s bottom line.

💭 One of the principles of the Code of Practice for PFR is "competence of individuals". When the document was being developed the Steering Group spent (quite a bit of) time discussing what constituted an "appropriate person". With the Specialist Register for PFR Professionals being backed up by the CIWEM (The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management) Royal Charter determining an appropriate person to help with PFR delivery is now less risky and can be evidence based! The Specialist Register provides a robust framework for assessing the COMPETENCE of professionals, providing the public, risk management authorities and clients alike with the CONFIDENCE that the professional (whether a PFR surveyor, or installer) has demonstrated their knowledge and skills. 🤝 It's been a great team effort within CIWEM and their partners. #Befloodready #competence #confidence Darren Eckford, Teresa Cabras, Dominique Acanthe, Ian R H., Ian Gibbs, Russell Burton, Stephen Hodgson, Fola Ogunyoye, Andrew McHugh, Richard Taylor, Paul Sayers, Ed Barsley, Mark Arrowsmith MCIWEM

As part of Flood Action Week the Construction Products Association is pleased to have contributed to 'FloodReady' report: FloodReady: an action plan to build the resilience of people and properties - GOV.UK Duncan King, Senior Technical Manager, Construction Products Association, said: “FloodReady highlights the necessity for a whole industry involvement to effectively negate the misery caused by properties being flooded. While standards can be written covering the production of effective flood resilient products, standards of workmanship for those undertaking retrofitting work need to be officially recognised and supported by warranties backed by the insurance industry, perhaps even the introduction of annual inspections of installed measures by local authorities.” 

When severe flooding forced emergency evacuations in an Orange, CT neighborhood, the city moved quickly to prevent future incidents. Burns Construction was selected to execute a comprehensive storm drainage solution that would protect residents for decades to come. The project involves installing over 1,500 linear feet of new storm drainage, with 72-inch reinforced concrete pipe serving as the primary conveyance system. Our team is working at excavation depths reaching 24 feet, connecting box culvert sections to integrate existing stream infrastructure with new manhole systems throughout the neighborhood. The scale of this operation requires heavy lift precision—we're placing structures averaging 30,000 pounds, with our largest lifts exceeding 50,000 pounds using dual-machine coordination. Before breaking ground, our estimating team conducted thorough site assessments and stakeholder engagement to understand community concerns. We've coordinated directly with residents throughout construction to minimize disruption, and one property owner even provided staging area access to optimize our logistics and reduce traffic impact on the neighborhood. Superintendent Brian Grow and our field team are executing precision placements using a phased sequencing approach, maintaining aggressive schedule targets while working in a sensitive residential setting. When completed, this system will deliver more than 200% increased hydraulic capacity, providing robust flood protection and restoring confidence to a community that experienced firsthand the consequences of inadequate stormwater infrastructure. This project exemplifies our commitment to responsive execution, technical excellence, and the community partnerships that define successful civil construction. #CivilEngineering #StormwaterManagement #HeavyConstruction #Infrastructure #ConstructionManagement #MunicipalEngineering #FloodMitigation United Concrete Products, Inc. 🎥 :Krane Digital

🔎 How do you effectively conduct a #FloodInvestigation following a #Flood event?   Often, residents, businesses and local partners are looking for answers in the aftermath of a flood, which an effective Section 19 flood investigation report can capture.   With autumn/winter upon us, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how to make these investigations impactful. The recent publication 'Investigating a Flood: Guidance for Lead Local Flood Authorities' (developed following the 2020 David Jenkins review) is designed to tackle the inconsistencies in how Section 19 investigations have been carried out – from format and timing to data collection.   Having worked with multiple stakeholders and the Project Steering Group to produce this guidance, here are my top tips for an effective flood investigation:   ✅ Engage early and in partnership: Work with flood risk partners and the local community from the outset. Early engagement helps manage expectations and builds trust. ✅ Be proportionate: Tailor the investigation to the scale and severity of the flood, and to the resources available. Not every event requires the same level of depth and technical detail. ✅ Drive action: A good investigation shouldn’t sit on a shelf - it should lead to positive outcomes and tangible improvements for communities.   Visit the JBA Consulting website for more information: https://lnkd.in/ebdcZRYt   #FloodRiskManagement #JBA30