As part of our commitment to protect the community from flooding threats and enhance the overall safety of the community, it's crucial to understand the tools and strategies available to us for effective flood risk management. One such tool is the Repetitive Loss Area Analysis (RLAA), an integral component of the Community Rating System (CRS) administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The Purpose of RLAA in Flood Risk Management

The RLAA is a comprehensive assessment designed to identify and analyze areas within a community that have experienced repetitive flood damage and loss. This assessment is not just about numbers and data; it's about understanding the real impact of flooding on properties and the community. By pinpointing these repetitive loss areas, we can develop more focused and effective flood mitigation strategies, ultimately reducing the financial and emotional toll of flooding events.

The Role of RLAA in the CRS Program

Participation in the CRS program is voluntary, but it offers significant benefits. The program encourages communities to adopt proactive measures to reduce flood risks. The RLAA plays a role in this program, aiding communities in making informed decisions about flood risk reduction and resource allocation. Recognizing areas prone to frequent flooding enables us to prioritize flood control measures that protect properties and enhance our overall resilience.

Jersey Village is a member of the CRS Program and we are currently at a level 7. That level gives residents a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums. As part of our renewal process we are attempting to move to a level 6, or higher, to provide an even greater discount to residents. Completing this RLAA is an important step in earning the points to make that jump possible.

The Five Steps of Conducting an RLAA

Executing an RLAA involves a systematic approach, broken down into five main steps:

Community Engagement: Informing all properties in repetitive loss areas about the upcoming analysis and inviting their input on the flood hazard and potential actions. We did this by reaching out to all residents that are in a repetitive loss area.

Interagency Collaboration: Engaging with agencies or organizations that have relevant plans or studies impacting flood causes or effects. These collaborations are crucial for a holistic understanding of the flood risk.

On-site Data Collection: Visiting each building in the identified areas to collect essential data, offering a ground-level view of the impact and causes of repetitive flooding.

Evaluating Solutions: Assessing various approaches, including property protection measures and drainage improvements, to determine feasibility and effectiveness.

Documentation and Reporting: Compiling the findings into a detailed report, with each area receiving its own focused analysis, ensuring targeted and relevant strategies.

The draft report is available for review, and comments may be emailed to Miesha Johnson. Once City Council adopts the final version of the Repetitive Loss Area Analysis, it will be posted on this page or can be obtained at City Hall or by calling 713-466-2141.

View the Repetitive Loss Area Analysis document here.