Shoshone County Facing Probation from the National Flood Insurance Program

BOTHELL, Wash. – Shoshone County, Idaho, will be placed on probationary status by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) on July 1, 2021, due to deficiencies and violations with the county’s floodplain management program unless the County can either remediate all outstanding violations or prepare a compliance plan approved by FEMA.

Shoshone County is an NFIP-participating community with 61 flood insurance policies in force with a total coverage of more than $10 million as of April  2, 2021.

When a community joins the NFIP, it voluntarily adopts local floodplain management regulations to meet NFIP minimum floodplain management criteria. Placement on probation is a formal notice to the community that the local floodplain management program is not compliant with the criteria of the NFIP and is the first step in the process to suspend the community’s eligibility to participate in the NFIP.

Unless the County either remediates the violations or completes a compliance plan approved by FEMA,the probation period will begin on July 1, 2021 and be in effect for one year.

Program deficiencies include:

1. Noncompliant floodplain management regulations.
2. Failure to maintain an adequate permitting process to ensure development in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) is properly permitted and inspected to certify/confirm compliance with the permit.
3. Failure to maintain adequate documentation to demonstrate permitted development follows minimum regulations.
4. Failure to enforce the minimum floodplain management regulations when the documentation that is provided demonstrates a violation.

Violations include:

1. Buildings constructed in the SFHA on solid foundation walls without the required flood openings.
2. Lack of evidence of compliance certification for development in the SFHA.
3. Lack of permits for development in the SFHA.

While FEMA has worked with Shoshone County to gain compliance, the county has failed to submit the requested documentation to demonstrate compliance with the NFIP. Accordingly, FEMA is prepared to place Shoshone County on probation with the NFIP.

During the probationary period, flood insurance coverage will remain available within Shoshone County. However, a $50 surcharge will be added to the premium of each new and renewed flood insurance policy sold within the community for at least one year from the effective date of probation. Each flood insurance policyholder in unincorporated Shoshone County will receive a notice about the impending probation and the $50 surcharge.

Failure to correct identified deficiencies and to improve the floodplain management program within Shoshone County during the probationary period can lead to suspension from the NFIP. Flood insurance from the NFIP is no longer available for purchase for communities on suspension. If a flood disaster occurs in a suspended community, most types of federal disaster assistance would not be available. This includes the acquisition, construction, or repair of insurable structures within the SFHA as well as federal assistance to individuals and households for housing and personal property.

FEMA will continue to provide technical assistance and guidance to the county to resolve program deficiencies and correct the violations to help ensure that Shoshone County residents and property owners continue to have flood insurance coverage available.