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.

Applications & Other Information

Starkville Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs)