Floodplain Administration

Floodplain Administration and the National Flood Insurance Program

Flooding can happen anytime, anywhere. Mississippi ranks eighth in the nation for the number of repetitive flood loss-structures. The state also has more than 5 million acres classified as floodplain, which is the fifth largest in the nation.

Just a few inches of water from a flood can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damages. Over the past 10 years, the average flood insurance claim has amounted to nearly $48,000.

The City of Starkville, by adoption of its floodplain ordinance and maps, participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which provides low-cost flood insurance. The city also participates in the NFIP Community Rating System (CRS), 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 losses
  • Facilitate accurate insurance rating
  • Promote the awareness of flood insurance

Copies of the city’s floodplain maps are available for public inspection and review in the Building Department (second floor) of City Hall.

The National Flood Insurance Program

Applications & Other Information

Starkville Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs)