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This report highlights the efforts of two communities to strengthen regulations after catastrophic flood events: Cedar Falls, Iowa and Waveland, Mississippi. Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are created to guide insurance premiums based on historical floods occurring within either 100 or 500 years, and these case studies are designed to help communities consider how they can regulate floodplains in light of climate change.

Congress recently passed reforms to FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that may provide opportunities for communities to promote adaptation (the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012), which will likely cause higher insurance premiums, though it does allow FEMA to consider climate change when developing FIRMs. FIRMs traditionally rely on historical flood data, but FEMA now allows funds to be used to map sea level projections, allowing communities to better plan for future weather events.

The Cedar Fall case study is an example of how a community worked together without conflict to prevent future flood damage. These case studies show that many opportunities exist for communities seeking to implement adaptation strategies without conflict. Waveland, Mississippi suffered widespread damage as a result of Katrina. Changes to regulatory standards attempted to mitigate future hazards. Most significantly, increased elevation was required for existing homes in the 100 year flood plain, as well as for future developments. The community also participates in the Community Rating System (CRS), which due to insurance discounts, drives community support for flood plain regulation.

Case Studies in Flood Plain Regulation: Challenges and Opportunities in Preparing for Climate Change