Provisionally Accredited Levee Systems


What happens when the PAL expiration date is reached
For the past several years, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has led a major effort to update the nation’s flood hazard maps. The new maps, known as Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs), provide communities with up-to-date, reliable information regarding flood risks. As part of the effort, FEMA requested data and documentation from the levee system owners or communities who are responsible for maintaining levee systems. The data are used to determine the flood protection and risk-reduction capabilities of these systems.

Levee Accreditation
If the data provided show that areas behind the levee system would no longer be subject to the flood having a 1-percent annual chance of occurring in a given year*, FEMA accredits the levee system on a new flood hazard map. Nearby areas are mapped as moderate-risk zones, unless other risk factors are present. Levees that were never designed to comply with federal requirements or those that have deteriorated over the years are not shown on the new maps as accredited. Areas near a non-accredited levee system are mapped as high-risk zones, unless other mitigating factors are present.

Provisionally Accredited Levees
Where the levee system previously met the appropriate criteria and the owners entered into an agreement with FEMA, owners of levee systems that were previously accredited have been given an additional 24 months to gather and submit the required data and documentation. FEMA shows the system as a Provisionally Accredited Levee (PAL) and the risk levels associated with an accredited levee continue to apply while the PAL agreement is in effect. However, the designation is not permanent. If the required documentation is not provided, upon expiration of the PAL period, FEMA must initiate a map revision to show the levee as de-accredited. Because people living and working nearby need to be aware of the flood risk associated with the levee, FEMA cannot extend the agreement.

When PAL Agreements Expire
Ninety days before the date the PAL agreement is set to expire, FEMA sends a reminder of the need to provide documentation. FEMA sends a second letter 30 days before the expiration date. On the expiration date:

• If FEMA has received sufficient documentation, FEMA notifies the community and revises the effective flood hazard map to remove the “provisional” notation. The moderate risk designations for areas near the levee system continue to apply.

• If FEMA doesn’t receive sufficient documentation, FEMA notifies the community and begins a map revision process. Land near a de-accredited levee that is below the base flood elevation** can no longer be shown as moderate risk. The revised map will show the area as a high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area.

• Once remapping begins, data and documentation can still be provided. No less than 18 months will elapse between the PAL expiration date and the issuance of the revised map. During this time, prior to community adoption of the new maps, the community or levee system owner can still submit the data and documentation, and the remapping will take the data into account.

* Flood event used to designate a high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area on the DFIRM
** Elevation of the 1-percent-annual-chance flood

Provisionally Accredited Levee Systems
What happens when the PAL expiration date is reached

What Residents and Business Owners Should Do
Levees may reduce the probability of flooding, but they don’t eliminate the risk. Levee systems are designed to provide a specific level of protection. In larger flood events they can be overtopped or fail. They can also decay over time, and no longer provide as much protection as before. Levee failures often lead to catastrophic flood damage, sometimes with little or no warning. For this reason FEMA recommends that anyone whose property is located near a levee purchase flood insurance. In most moderate risk areas, Preferred Risk Policies are available with premiums starting at $119 per year.

If your property is affected by levee de-accreditation you may be able to save money on flood insurance by purchasing a policy before the new maps go into effect. You can likely save money immediately by purchasing a Preferred Risk Policy. Keep it in force until the new maps become effective, and you will continue to be eligible for a policy at the standard rates for a moderate-risk area. You can’t keep the Preferred Risk rate in a high-risk zone, but the savings for a moderate-risk “X” zone policy can still be significant. Call your insurance agent to learn more.
For More Information
For more about levees, visit the levee section of the FEMA web site at http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/lv_intro.shtm#1
For more about your flood risk and flood insurance, visit the National Flood Insurance Program web site at www.FloodSmart.gov