Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: March 19, 2025
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
THROUGH: N/A
FROM: Joseph C. Kunkel, P. E., Director, Public Works Department
CONTACT: Michael J. Drozeck, P. E., CFM, Manager
PHONE: (407) 836-7945
DIVISION: Stormwater Management Division
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Adoption of (1) Orange County, FL Program for Public Information 2025; (2) Orange County FL, Floodplain Management Plan 2025; and (3) Orange County, FL Repetitive Loss Area Analysis 2025. All Districts. (Stormwater Management Division)
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PROJECT: N/A
PURPOSE:
Orange County participates in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System (CRS), which offers reductions in flood insurance premiums. The CRS is a voluntary incentive program that acknowledges and encourages community floodplain management efforts that go beyond the minimum requirements. Currently, Orange County holds a class 5 rating in the CRS program, allowing flood insurance policyholders in the county to receive up to a 25% reduction in their premiums. For your reference, CRS program information is attached.
As part of its ongoing floodplain management efforts, Orange County has updated three key plans that support CRS participation and improve flood risk awareness, mitigation, and public outreach.
Orange County is working to improve its CRS rating from the current class 5 to a class 4 by better documenting its ongoing community floodplain management efforts. Currently, there are approximately 10,000 floodplain policies in effect within the county. With the class 5 rating, which provides a 25% premium reduction, policyholders save an estimated $750,000 annually. Achieving a class 4 rating would increase the premium reduction to 30%, resulting in an additional 5% savings, or approximately $150,000 in annual savings for policyholders.
To enhance the County’s CRS participation, three plans were developed to document, describe, and enhance the current floodplain management activities. Board approval of these plans is required to earn credit under the CRS program. The three plans were initially approved by the Board in 2019. According to CRS requirements, these plans must be updated every five years.
The updates presented in this request to the Board incorporate feedback from residents across Orange County, which was gathered through public meetings, and surveys. Below is a short description of each plan.
Program for Public Information (PPI) The PPI plan assesses and documents current and future outreach activities to better inform Orange County residents of flood related risks. The PPI is an ongoing effort to prepare, implement, and monitor a range of public information activities designed to meet local needs.
Floodplain Management Plan (FMP) The purpose of the FMP is to reduce risk to people and property from flood hazards. A comprehensive assessment of countywide factors that contribute to flood risks was completed. The plan helps identify activities that can be undertaken to reduce safety hazards and property damage.
Repetitive Loss Area Analysis (RLAA) The RLAA is a countywide assessment of flood related repetitive loss areas. The flooding source for each area was identified, documented, and viable mitigation strategies defined. As part of this update effort, Orange County created a Floodplain Management Planning Committee (FMPC) made up of County Staff, outside citizens, and stakeholders to conduct a planning process in the development and update of a PPI, an FMP, and the involved property owners in the development of a RLAA. The FMPC worked for over a year on the planning process to update and enhance the PPI and FMP so that they met all CRS requirements.
These three plan updates will help Orange County achieve its goal to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens and to provide public outreach informing them of flood hazards that impact the County.
The backup documentation for this item has been delivered electronically under separate covers as RLAA 2025 (100pg.), PPI 2025 (27pg), FMP 2025 (1-110pg 1st half), FPM 2025 (111-223 2nd half) and the FEMA Fact Sheet 2017 (2pg).
BUDGET: N/A