Overview of FEMA’s Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)

The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program is a competitive grant program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Its primary objective is to provide funding to states, local communities, and federally recognized tribes to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Unlike many other federal grant programs that trigger only after a disaster declaration, FMA is designed as a proactive measure. By funding mitigation projects before a flood occurs, the program aims to lower the overall number of claims paid out by the NFIP. This focus on risk reduction helps stabilize the insurance fund and protects property owners in high-risk areas. For a broader context on how this fits into federal regulations, see our complete Flood exam guide.

Understanding who can apply for FMA is critical for the insurance exam. The program uses a specific hierarchy for the application process:

• Applicants: Only states, United States territories, and federally recognized tribal governments can serve as the primary applicant. These entities receive the funds directly from FEMA.
• Sub-applicants: Local governments, such as cities, counties, and special districts, apply to the state or territory. They are responsible for managing the specific mitigation projects at the local level.
• Individuals/Businesses: While individuals cannot apply directly to FEMA for FMA grants, they can request that their local community include their property in a sub-application.

A fundamental requirement for eligibility is that the community must be participating in the NFIP and must not be suspended or on probation. Furthermore, the property being mitigated must have a valid flood insurance policy in effect at the time of the application and must maintain that coverage through the completion of the project.

FMA funds are used for various types of projects, provided they are cost-effective and technically feasible. The most common activities include:

• Property Acquisition and Demolition: Often called a "buyout," the community purchases the property, demolishes the structure, and converts the land to open space in perpetuity.
• Structure Elevation: Raising an existing building to or above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) to prevent water entry.
• Relocation: Physically moving a structure out of a high-risk area to a lower-risk site.
• Dry Floodproofing: Making a non-residential building watertight so that floodwaters cannot enter.
• Localized Flood Control: Small-scale projects like culvert modifications, retention basins, or minor drainage improvements that protect a specific group of NFIP-insured structures.

Candidates preparing for the exam should note that FMA grants can also be used for mitigation planning, which allows communities to develop the strategies necessary to identify future projects.