Environmental Services: CRS Program
Mission Statement: The environmental services strives to educate and inform the community about pollution prevention while meeting all storm water permit requirements as defined by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
General Overview: The Environmental Services Division provides public education and outreach activities to educate the citizens (young and old) about the flood risks, flood event preparedness, pollution prevention techniques, hurricane preparedness, and other environmental benefits that are in line with the requirements of Municipal Storm Sewer Separate System (MS4) Permit issued by TCEQ, and Community Rating System (CRS) managed by National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) of Federal Emergency Agency (FEMA). The division also responds to complaints from environmental pollution, illegal dumping, etc.
CRS
Program
Program Definition
Annual Report
The National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community actions, meeting the three goals of the CRS:
- Reduce flood damage to insurable property;
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Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP, and
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Encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management with measurable progress as reflected in our annual report.
The National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community actions, meeting the three goals of the CRS:
- Reduce flood damage to insurable property;
- Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP, and
- Encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management.
Community Class and Premium Reduction
The premium reduction is in the form of a CRS Class, similar to the classifications used for fire insurance. A Class 1 provides a 45% premium reduction. A Class 10 provides no reduction.
The CRS Class is based on the floodplain management activities a community implements. The more activities implemented, the better the CRS class.
- CRS: Floodplain Management Plan's Progress Report- October 2011 to September 2012
Benefits for Residents:
- Residents living in communities participating in the CRS get flood premium discounts.
- The activities credited by the CRS provide direct benefits to the residents of that community , including:
- Enhanced public safety,
- Reduction in damage to property and public infrastructure,
- Avoidance of economic disruption and losses,
- Reduction of human suffering, and
- Protection of the environment.
Pasadena is a coastal City that is affected by storm surge along its Galveston Bay coastline and riverine flooding from five bayous. The last major storm surge was from Hurricane Ike in 2008 and highest levels of flooding across the City were from Tropical Storm Allison in 2001. Heavy rain rate storms produce most of the flood damage. Coastal flooding caused by tropical storms, hurricanes and unusually high tides combined with strong westerly or northwesterly winds also poses a continuing threat to the City. The flat topography of our region is another contributor to flooding, since the flow takes longer time to go through bayous and channels to leave the City.
The City of Pasadena is concerned about repetitive flooding and has an active program to help you protect yourself and your property from future flooding. We are seeking funding support to construct reservoirs upstream of your area and to make improvements that will increase the downstream floodwater carrying capacity.
Meanwhile, here are some things you can do:
Check with The Engineering Department on the extent of past flooding in your area. Department staff can tell you about the causes of repetitive flooding, what the City is doing about it, and what would be an appropriate flood protection level. City staff can visit your property to discuss flood protection alternatives.
Prepare for flooding by doing the following:
- Have Flood Insurance on your property and also on its content
- Know how to shut off the electricity and gas to your house when a flood comes.
- Make a list of emergency numbers and identify a safe place to go to.
- Make a household inventory, especially of basement content
- Put insurance policies, valuable papers, medicine, etc. in a safe place.
- Collect and put cleaning supplies, camera, waterproof boots, etc. in a handy place.
- Develop a disaster response plan - See the Red Cross website: www.redcross.org/services/disaster/ for a copy of the brochure: Your family disaster plan
- Get a copy of Repairing Your Flooded Home (from FEMA, or visit the Main Public Library.)
Consider some permanent flood protection measures.
- Mark your Fuse or breaker box to show the circuits to the floodable areas.
- Turning off the power to the basement (we don’t have many basements in Pasadena) can reduce property damage and save lives.
- Elevating your house above flood levels.
- Check your building for water entry points (in basements).
- Install a floor drain plug, stand pipe, overhead sewer, or sewer backup valve to prevent sewer back up flooding.
More information can be found in Homeowners Guide to Retrofitting. Copies can be found at the main City of Pasadena Public Library or at www.fema.gov/hazards/floods/lib312.shtm.
Note that some flood protection measures may need a building permit and others may not be safe for your type of building, so be sure to talk to the Building Department.
Talk to the Building Department for information on financial assistance.
Get a flood insurance policy. It will help to pay for repairs after a flood and, in some cases, it will help to pay the costs of elevating a substantially damaged building.
Get a flood insurance policy
Homeowners insurance police do not cover from floods. However, because Pasadena participates in the National Insurance Program, you can purchase a separate flood insurance policy. This insurance is backed by the Federal government and is available to everyone, even properties that have been flooded. Because Pasadena participates in the Community Rating System, you will receive a reduction in the insurance premium.
If your property is not mapped in a Special Flood Hazard area, you may qualify for a lower-cost Preferred Risk Policy.
Some people have purchased flood insurance because it was required by the bank when they got a mortgage or home improvement loan. Usually these policies just cover the building structure and not the contents. Be sure you have contents coverage.
Do not wait for the next flood to buy flood insurance protection. In most cases, there is a 30-day waiting period before National Flood Insurance program coverage takes effect.
Contact your insurance agent for more information on rates and coverage.
If you need more information, please visit our Main Public Library, the Engineer Department at 1114 Davis, 2nd floor, Pasadena, TX 77506, or call the Action Line at 713-475-5555.
Check other FEMA Resources: What to do before a flood, What to do during a flood, What to do after a flood
FLOOD
For information on the floodplain Maps, please contact the Engineering Department at 713-475-7835, or go to
FEMA Map Service Center for more information or to order maps or any other material.
Notice for LENDING OFFICERS, REALTORS AND INSURANCE AGENTS
As a public service, the Pasadena Engineering Department at 1114 Davis, 2nd floor, will provide you with the following information upon request:
- Whether a property is in or out of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) as shown on the current Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).
- Additional flood insurance data for a site, such as the FIRM zone and the base flood elevation or depth, if shown on the FIRM.
- We have a handout on the flood insurance purchase requirement that can help people who need a mortgage or loan for property in the SFHA.
If you would like to make an inquiry, please tell us the street address and (if available) the subdivision, lot and block number. We are open from 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday (closed from 12 PM to 1 PM for lunch). Call us at 713-475-4869. There is no charge for this service.
The City also has completed FEMA Elevation Certificates for buildings that were constructed in the floodplain since the early 1980s. The Elevation Certificates are held on record at Permit Department (1114 Davis, 1st Floor).
Notice for PUBLIC IN GENERAL:
The City of Pasadena has available the following Flooding information documents at the Main Public Library in the City:
- How to Use a Flood Map to Protect Your Property, FEMA-258, May 1995.
- Answers to Questions about the National Flood Insurance Program, FEMA-387, 2001.
- Mandatory Purchase of Flood Insurance Guidelines, FEMA-186, September 1999.
- Repairing Your Flooded Home, FEMA-234,1992.
- Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting, FEMA-312,1998.
- Above the Flood: Elevating Your Floodprone House, FEMA-347, 2000.
- Elevated Residential Structures, FEMA-54, March 1984.
- Coastal Construction Manual, FEMA-55, June 2000.
- Manufactured Home Installation in Flood Hazard Areas, FEMA-85, September 1985.
- Floodproofing Nonresidential Structures, FEMA-102, May 1986.
- Design Manual for Retrofitting Flood prone Residential Struc¬tures, FEMA-114, 1986.
- Mitigation of Flood and Erosion Damage to Residential Buildings in Coastal Areas, FEMA-257, October 1994.
- A Unified National Program for Floodplain Management, FEMA-248, May 1994.
- Design Guidelines for Flood Damage Reduction, FEMA-15, Decem¬ber 1981.
- Planning for a Sustainable Future: The Link Between Hazard Mitigation and Livability, FEMA-364, 2000.
- Protecting Floodplain Resources, A Guidebook for Communities, FEMA-268, 1995
- Current City of Pasadena Flood Insurance Rate Map
- Current City of Pasadena Flood Boundary and Floodway Map
- Up to date directory of addresses and telephone numbers for local offices that can provide more information related to flood hazards
- Current Hazard Mitigation Plan
For more information go to the following City pages:
Emergency Management
Health Department
Permits Department
Volunteer Pasadena program
Outreach Program
The City of Pasadena has developed an aggressive outreach program for public education and participation since 2005. At the end of 2011, a new effort called PPI (Public Participation and Information) Program was started with the mission to coordinate the past outreach efforts for better results. The program was put together with the support and cooperation from a PPI Committee formed by City CFMs, City Communication Department, local organizational leaders representing stakeholders, FEMA and CRS.
The PPI Program
The program is a series of annual bilingual educational activities developed by the CRS Team in partnership with resident, Public Library, schools, summer camps, churches, business, industry and other organizations and City Departments. (Program is in the process of revision and will be published as soon as it is submitted to City Council approval). The Outreach Team has developed creative tools and gets or borrows educational materials such as the TFMA flood Model to show children and adults how to be prepared and mitigate flood problems.
Other Helpful Links:
Harris County Flood Control District
713-684-4000
http://www.hcfcd.org/
NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Houston 281-337-5074/7895
www.noaa.gov/
Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
713-881-3100
www.hcoem.org
City of Houston Office of Emergency Management
713-884-4500
www.houstonoem.org
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District
Office of Public Affairs......409-766-3004
www.swg.usace.army.mil
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Region VI
Denton, TX.......940-898-5399
www.fema.gov/about/contact/regionvi.shtm
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): Greater Houston Area
281-829-6880
E-Mail: mail@nfipregion6.com
http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/
National Weather Service: Houston/Galveston Forecast Office
281-337-5074
E-Mail: sr-hgx.webmaster@noaa.gov
www.srh.noaa.gov/hgx
American Red Cross, Greater Houston Area Chapter
713-526-8300
E-Mail: webmkt@ghac.org
www.houstonredcross.org
Harris County Judge Ed Emmett
713-755-4000
www.judgeemmett.org
Harris County Precinct 1: El Franco Lee, Commissioner
713-991-6881
E-Mail: CommPct1Adm@itc.co.harris.tx.us
www.co.harris.tx.us/comm_lee/
Harris County Precinct 2: Jack Morman, Commissioner
713-755-6220
www.pct2.hctx.net/
Harris County Precinct 3: Steve Radack, Commissioner
281-463-6300
E-Mail: pct3@co.harris.tx.us
www.pct3.hctx.net/
Harris County Precinct 4: R. Jack Cagle, Commissioner
281-353-8424
www.cp4.hctx.net/
City of Houston
713-837-0311
311@cityofhouston.net
www.cityofhouston.gov
Harris County Appraisal District
713-812-5800
E-Mail: help@hcad.org
www.hcad.org
Port of Houston Authority
713-670-2400
E-Mail: questions@poha.com
www.portofhouston.com
Harris County Permit Office
713-956-3000
E-Mail: catkinson@eng.hctx.net
