The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Flood Hazard Management Program (FHMP) is the State Coordinating Office for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Guide Floodplain Management
In this guide
Massachusetts Flood Hazard Management Program (FHMP)
FHMP program staff work with FEMA and officials from National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) participating communities to implement the NFIP in Massachusetts. The FHMP is a technical assistance program and has no regulatory authority.
Program staff is available to provide guidance to all interested parties. Topics include the NFIP, floodplain management, flood resistant construction, floodplain mapping, flood mitigation, flood insurance and flood risk awareness and education.
The National Flood Insurance Program
The National Flood Insurance Program exists to transfer the cost of flood damages from the public to the private sector. It does so by providing federal flood insurance to property owners and by requiring communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations.
Helpful links to more information:
Purchasing NFIP flood insurance
Floodplain Management
In Massachusetts, floodplain management is addressed through a number of regulations and practices:
The Massachusetts Building Code
The Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act
Flood-resistant Construction
Every NFIP community has local codes, ordinances, and/or by-laws that describe and direct development in local floodplains. Because Massachusetts has a statewide mandatory building code, local MA communities typically hold additional, non-construction type regulations in their by-laws. In addition to the provisions found in the building code and Wetlands Protection Act, other flood-resistant construction requirements may be found in:
Massachusetts Title V regulations
Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissioners Updated List of Local By-Laws
Local Floodplain District requirements (contact the appropriate municipal staff)
Floodplain Mapping
FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps provide the minimum standards for delineated floodplains. Flood-resistant construction must be used in at least the 1%-chance floodplain (formerly referred to as the 100-year floodplain.) To examine the FEMA flood maps, go to: https://msc.fema.gov/portal
The Map Service Center has a hotline for specific questions: 1-877-336-2627.
Some Massachusetts communities have more restrictive floodplain requirements, so always check with the municipality for these details. Local building department staff, conservation commission staff and planners can give you more information.
Flood Mitigation
Property owners can modify their structures to make them more resistant to flood damages. In some cases, a mitigation grant may help pay for these changes. In most cases, correct mitigation actions can lower annual flood insurance premiums. For more information:
Mitigation Measures for Floodprone Structures
Reducing Flood Risk to Residential Buildings that Cannot be Elevated
Building with Flood-Resistant Materials
How to Raise Electrical System Components
NFIP Flood Insurance
The National Flood Insurance Program aims to reduce the impact of flooding on private and public structures. It does so by providing affordable insurance to property owners and by encouraging communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations. For more information:
Purchasing NFIP flood insurance
Policy & Claim Statistics for Flood Insurance
If you have specific questions about your flood policy, speak to your insurance agent. If the agent cannot answer your questions, you can contact:
Tom Young, CPCU, CFM, ANFI, ARM
National Flood Insurance Program - iService Team
Bureau and Statistical Agency, Manager - Region I New England
PO Box 16321, Hooksett, NH 03106
603-625-5125 Direct
Flood Risk Awareness & Education
The following links will give you more information overall regarding flood risk in your community.
Contacts
Joy Duperault, CFM
Director, Flood Hazard Management Program
NFIP Coordinator & Dep. Hazard Mitigation Officer
Dept. of Conservation & Recreation
251 Causeway Street, 8th floor, Boston, MA 02114
617-626-1406
joy.duperault@state.ma.us
Eric Carlson
Asst. Director, Flood Hazard Management Program
Dept. of Conservation & Recreation
251 Causeway Street, 8th floor, Boston, MA 02114
617-626-1362
eric.carlson@massmail.state.ma.us