Town Council adopts 2024 Repetitive Loss Area Analysis to help property owners mitigate future flood risks

The Hilton Head Island Town Council emphasized the importance of educating residents on managing flood risks by adopting the 2024 Repetitive Loss Area Analysis at its regular meeting on Tuesday.

“With the potential for flooding, this analysis offers valuable insights into the pros and cons of various flood mitigation strategies,” said Hilton Head Island Mayor Alan Perry. “While property owners aren’t required to take action, this report serves as a resource to help them make informed decisions to better protect their homes.”

The analysis, required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as part of the Community Rating System (CRS), helps guide property owners interested in safeguarding their property against future flood losses. The Town of Hilton Head Island, currently rated as a Class 5 community in the CRS, qualifies property owners for a 25% discount on flood insurance premiums through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Currently, the Town has 23,697 NFIP flood insurance policies enforced with more than $3 million in savings.

To maintain this discount and as part of the analysis, the Town evaluated the potential causes of flooding in areas that have flooded historically. Hilton Head Island has 25 such areas. The analysis includes maps and detailed data on these areas, gathered from surveys, claims data, and historical records.

There is no mandate for property owners to mitigate flood risk. However, the Repetitive Loss Area Analysis provides a guide and resources for making improvements and protecting their property. The complete analysis can be viewed on the Town’s website at hiltonheadislandsc.gov.

For more information, residents can contact Shari Mendrick, the Town’s Floodplain Administrator, at 843-341-4687 or [email protected].