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1. How do I get flood insurance?

To buy a flood insurance policy, call your insurance agent or contact one of the "Write Your Own" companies, which are private insurance companies that write flood insurance under a special arrangement with the federal government. If your agent does not write flood insurance, or you don't have an agent, call the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) toll-free number at 1-888-FLOOD29.

2. When is flood insurance required?

To get federally-backed financing to buy, build, or improve structures in a 100-year floodplain, you will be required to purchase flood insurance. Lending institutions that are federally regulated or federally insured must determine if the structure is located in a floodplain, and must provide written notice requiring flood insurance.

3. Do you have to be located in a floodplain to obtain flood insurance?

No. Flood insurance is available to any property owner located in a community participating in the NFIP (which includes Issaquah). Many areas in Issaquah outside of the mapped 100-year floodplain are potentially susceptible to flooding to varying degrees.

4. Does the City manage the flood insurance program?

No. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which provides flood insurance to owners and tenants of property, is part of FEMA. Issaquah participation in the NFIP is limited to adopting and enforcing floodplain management ordinances to reduce future flood damage. In exchange for these regulations, the NFIP makes federally-backed flood insurance available to homeowners, renters and business owners in the City. Community participation in the NFIP is voluntary.

5. I have lived here forever and have never been flooded. Why do I need flood insurance?

The flood hazards shown on floodplain maps are based on the best information and analysis tools available at the time the maps were prepared. Because of the infrequent occurrence of flood events, floodplain maps are not based only on the past flooding occurrences. The fact that a flood hasn't occurred within memory doesn't mean one won't happen soon.

6. How can my property be removed from the floodplain maps?

To be removed from the floodplain shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map, a structure must be on land that is not subject to flooding by the 100-year flood. If your lot or building site is on natural ground that is higher than the Base Flood Elevation shown on the FIRM, you may request a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). To support your request, you will have to get a surveyor to determine the elevation of the ground next to your building and complete an Elevation Certificate. If the ground is higher than the Base Flood Elevation, then FEMA will issue a LOMA. With a LOMA, your lender may choose to not require flood insurance.

7. What does the City do to make flood insurance more affordable?

The City participates in the Community Rating System, which is a voluntary FEMA program that reduces National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood insurance premiums if the City implements additional flood hazard management activities. Issaquah is currently rated as Class 5. This improvement reflects the considerable effort and progress made by the City towards reducing flood losses, facilitating accurate insurance ratings, and promoting the awareness of flood insurance. The Class 5 rating results in residents and businesses in the City obtaining a 25% discount in their flood insurance premiums.