This letter is to warn the residents who live in the repetitive loss areas by mailing this letter biannually. This activity is one of the activities that Fairfax County conducts to continue to participate in the Community Rating System (CRS) program that will help the county residents to receive a discount on their flood insurance premium.

Dear Sir/Madam:

Our records indicate that you live in or near an area that is subject to repetitive flooding. Fairfax County is concerned about repetitive flooding and is providing the following information to better help protect yourself and your property from possible future flooding. Please review the information provided below:

1. Protect yourself from the hazard:
   1. Flooding is the most dangerous hazard from thunderstorms. Over half of flood related fatalities occur when a vehicle is driven through a flooded roadway. Turn around, don’t drown.
   2. Please visit Flood Information | Public Works and Environmental Services for general information on flooding and to sign up for Fairfax Alerts, the County’s messaging system for emergencies.
   3. To report storm drainage concerns or flooding, contact Fairfax County Maintenance and Stormwater Management Division at 703-877-2800, TTY 711.
   4. Know how to shut off electricity and gas to your house.
   5. Make a list of emergency numbers and identify a safe place to go.
   6. Make an inventory of your household items, especially basement contents.
   7. Put insurance policies, valuable papers, and medicines in a safe place.
   8. Put cleaning supplies, a camera, and waterproof boots in a handy place.
   9. Develop a disaster response plan. Obtain a copy of “Repairing Your Flooded Home” from the American Red Cross: Flood Safety | Flood Preparedness | American Red Cross for information about preparing your home and family for a disaster.
   10. Designate a place where your family can rendezvous after an evacuation order is issued.
   11. To protect your property from hazards, consider implementing permanent flood protection measures such as:
       1. Mark your fuse or breaker box to show the circuits to areas in your home that may flood. Turning off power to these areas before a flood may reduce property damage and save lives. Note: Judgment should be used before turning off power to flood protection devices such as sump pumps.
       2. Consider elevating your house above flood levels.
       3. Check your home for water entry points such as basement windows, stairwells, doors, and dryer vents. These can be protected with low walls or temporary shields.
       4. Install a floor drain plug, standpipe, or overhead sewer, or sewer backup valve to prevent sewer backups. Check with Fairfax County Land Development Services (LDS) at Permits and Review | Planning, Permitting and Construction (fairfaxcounty.gov), or 703-324-1720, TTY 711 for permit requirements prior to conducting any work to install these devices. Some flood protection measures may need a permit, and others may not be appropriate or safe for your building.
       5. More information is available at the FEMA website at: Floods | Ready.gov
2. Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMAP):
   • Funded by Fairfax County and administered by the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMAP) offers applicants 50% reimbursement—up to a maximum of $5,000—for the costs of projects that protect their properties from flood damage. Only expenses on or after July 1, 2024, are eligible for reimbursement.  For additional information on this program, please visit: Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMAP) | Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District.
3. FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance:
   • Funding for reducing or eliminating losses from disasters is available from FEMA. Generally, local governments have to apply for these grants through the state. For additional information on available grants, please visit Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants | FEMA.gov.
4. To insure your property for flood hazards, consider purchasing a flood insurance policy:
   1. Homeowner’s insurance policies may not cover damage from floods. Fairfax County participates in FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which allows residents to purchase a separate flood insurance policy. The insurance is backed by the federal government and is available to everyone, including homeowners and renters. Fairfax County participates in FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS) which allows homeowners and renters to purchase flood insurance at discounted rates.
   2. FEMA updated the NFIP’s risk rating process using a methodology known as Risk Rating 2.0, which will determine flood insurance premiums based on more advanced tools and capabilities that better reflect a property’s individual risk. More information is available at Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action | FEMA.gov
   3. Residents who purchased flood insurance as required by a mortgage lender or for a home improvement loan may be covered for building damages only and not the contents. Check your policy for coverage limitations. Frequently, flooding causes damage to a home’s furniture and contents. Your homeowner’s insurance agent may have more information about rates and coverage.
   4. More information about flood insurance: The National Flood Insurance Program | FloodSmart
5. Protect natural floodplain functions and stream health:
   1. Do not litter.
   2. It is illegal to deposit anything into a storm drain.
   3. Fertilizer, pesticides, motor oil, pet waste, paint and paint-related products are hazardous to the environment and pollute the Potomac River, a source of drinking water for many Fairfax County residents.
   4. Call 9-1-1 to report hazardous materials, such as those listed above, that have been discarded into a storm drain or stream. To obtain further information, see the link Polluted Runoff Inspections | Public Works and Environmental Services (fairfaxcounty.gov)

In order to ensure that we continue to communicate flood risks and mitigation measures to you appropriately, you will receive this letter biannually.

If you would like an electronic copy of this letter to facilitate access to the information at the web pages referenced, please send an e-mail request to SWPDMail@fairfaxcounty.gov. This email address can also be used to send us any questions you may have regarding the information in this letter or the County’s Stormwater Program. Alternatively, you may contact SWPD at 703-324-5500, TTY 711 or at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 449, Fairfax, Virginia 22035 or FEMA general at 202-646-2500.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Daniel Habete

Chief, Watershed Modeling and Analysis Branch
Alternate CRS Coordinator