Fort Bend County Levee Improvement District 17

New FEMA Risk Rating 2.0 for Flood Insurance Premiums

Change Effective 10/1/21

FBCLID 17 residents,

A question that many residents have asked FBCLID 17, is “Even though I live behind a levee, should I still buy flood insurance?” While each resident must make that decision for themselves, LID 17 strongly recommends that every homeowner purchase flood insurance.  Whether you have insurance already or are considering purchasing insurance, there is new information that you need to know.

Historically, FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, would determine the flood risk of property based on published Flood Insurance Rate Maps.  The maps, or FIRMs, would show different flood factors and flood risk potential which they would use to set the rates of flood insurance.  This methodology has not changed in over 50 years, but the change is coming, effective October 1, 2021.  FEMA’s new method called Risk Rating 2.0 utilizes newer technology available to assess the flood risk of a property.

Using Risk Rating 2.0, FEMA estimates that 14% of Texas residents with an existing flood insurance policy will see an immediate decrease in their flood insurance premium; 79% of Texas residents with an existing flood insurance policy will see an immediate increase in their flood insurance premium that could be as much as $120 per year; 3% of Texas residents with an existing flood insurance policy will see an immediate increase in their flood insurance premium of $120 to $240 per year; and 4% of Texas residents with an existing flood insurance policy will see an immediate increase in their flood insurance premium greater than $240 per year.  These FEMA estimates are for the first effective year and are averages only.

We do not yet know how Risk Rating 2.0 will impact flood insurance prices in Fort Bend County LID 17.  We do not know which category of premium change will include the District or your home.  However, if you already have flood insurance, FEMA says you will be grandfathered into how fast your flood insurance premium can increase.  Under current law, it is federally mandated that a flood insurance premium cannot increase by more than 18% per year and FEMA indicates that they will abide by this rule.  FEMA has not disclosed how they will assess the risk to homes protected by a levee.  We don’t get full risk rating of having no levee protection, but we also don’t get fully covered as having no risk.

However, we cannot guarantee any specific information about FEMA’s program or how future increases will be applied.

As Board members, we encourage you to get flood insurance now.  Contact your home insurance provider.  Since a flood insurance policy takes 30 days to go into effect, you must purchase your policy by September 1, 2021, for your policy to become effective prior to the effective date of Risk Rating 2.0.

Additional information regarding Risk Rating 2.0 can be found at Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action | FEMA.gov.  We encourage you to visit the FEMA website and/or talk to your insurance agent as soon as possible.

FBCLID 17 has contracted with Johnson Fence for the completion of the Phase I Fence Replacement Project. This project consists of the replacement of approximately 7,800 linear feet of failing concrete panel fence with brick fence. The total cost of the project is approximately $1.1 million. The project work area was primarily located along Chatham Avenue south of New Territory Boulevard, Telfair Avenue west of Addison Avenue and Kempton Avenue south of Telfair Avenue. A layout of the project area is provided below.

The Notice to Proceed on the project was issued to Johnson Fence on September 10, 2020. As of May 5, 2021, the contractor has completed a total of approximately 8,000 linear feet of fence which includes the demolition of the existing fence and installation of brick fence. Johnson Fence is currently completing the final segment of fence replacement on Peatwood Way. Johnson Fence anticipates completion of this final segment by May 11, 2021. A final inspection for the project is also scheduled for Tuesday, May 11, 2021. It is anticipated that the Phase I project will be complete prior to the end of May 2021.

 

To:  Homeowners and Residents

As you may have seen, new brick fences are being installed in certain sections of our neighborhood.  Fort Bend Levee Improvement District No. 17 (the “District”) is using your tax dollars to install and pay for the fences.  The fences are within a public easement or right-of-way owned by the District.  Phase I of the project is expected to be completed this summer at a cost of approximately $1.1 million.

If your yard backs to a brick fence, we wanted to remind you of a few things.

• Do not pack dirt or landscaping material against the fence. This could damage the integrity of the fence.
• Do not plant trees or shrubs too close to the fence. Please leave at least five (5) feet of clearance when planting trees and at least three (3) feet of clearance when planting shrubs.
• Do not drill holes in, attach items to or hang items on the fence. The fence is public property.
• Do not place items on or against the fence.
• Do not paint the fence.
• There is a utility easement at the rear of each property which is shown on your survey.

The District is replacing existing concrete panel fences along the major roadways that serve as a public amenity to the Telfair Community.  While the District and the Telfair Community Association will be responsible for the long-term maintenance of the fences following the expiration of the warranty period, we need everyone to do your part to keep the new fences in great shape.  If the fences are damaged by items located within a homeowner’s backyard or by the actions of a homeowner, the cost to repair the fences may not be covered by the warranty.  In these situations, the District will look to the individual homeowner to cover the cost of repair or replacement of the fence.

If you have any questions regarding your new fence (whether installed or scheduled for installation), please contact Flavia Valle at (832) 678-4547 or flavia@sterlingasi.com.

We want to thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to complete Phase I of this project as quickly as possible.  We hope to do future phases each year until the project is complete.

Thank you,

Board of Directors
Fort Bend Levee Improvement District No. 17
February 26, 2021