Flood Mitigation Assistance Program

The Flood Mitigation Assistance program is a federal grant initiative administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and implemented at the state level in Oklahoma through the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management. The program is designed to reduce long-term flood risk to structures insured under the National Flood Insurance Program and to decrease repetitive flood insurance claims. Oklahoma Emergency Management acts as the state applicant and intermediary, coordinating with local governments and Tribal Nations to identify eligible projects, prepare subapplications, and manage awarded funds. The program reflects a broader federal priority to invest in pre-disaster mitigation and reduce the financial and human impacts of recurring flood events. The primary objective of the program is to fund mitigation activities that reduce or eliminate the risk of flood damage to insured structures. Eligible activities include property acquisition and demolition of flood-prone buildings, elevation of existing structures above base flood elevation levels, reconstruction of properties to improve flood resilience, and dry floodproofing for certain non-residential buildings. In addition, the program supports planning and project scoping activities, as well as localized flood control improvements such as drainage upgrades, culvert expansions, and stormwater system enhancements. These activities are intended to generate long-term cost savings by preventing repeated disaster recovery expenditures. Funding is provided through a national allocation, with six hundred million dollars available for the fiscal year cycle referenced. Cost share requirements vary depending on the classification of the properties benefiting from the project. Properties identified as Severe Repetitive Loss are eligible for full federal funding, while Repetitive Loss properties qualify for a ninety percent federal share. All other eligible projects receive up to seventy-five percent federal funding, requiring a non-federal match. All funded activities must benefit properties that maintain active National Flood Insurance Program policies, ensuring alignment with federal insurance and mitigation goals. Eligibility for participation is limited to entities that can apply through the state, including local governments and Tribal Nations. These subapplicants must coordinate with the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management to develop proposals and submit applications to FEMA. A key eligibility requirement is the existence of a FEMA-approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan at the time of application and award, although exceptions may be granted under extraordinary circumstances such as lack of capacity, disaster disruption, or qualification as a small impoverished community. If an exception is granted, the applicant must complete an approved plan within twelve months or risk termination of the award. The application process requires coordination between subapplicants and the state agency. Subapplications must be submitted to Oklahoma Emergency Management by the stated deadline, after which the state compiles and submits a unified application to FEMA. Applications are evaluated at the national level based on criteria that vary by activity type, with a strong emphasis on projects addressing Severe Repetitive Loss and Repetitive Loss properties. Required components typically include project narratives, benefit-cost analyses, environmental and historic preservation documentation, and evidence of compliance with federal procurement standards. The timeline for the funding cycle includes a state-level subapplication deadline followed by a federal submission deadline shortly thereafter. For the referenced cycle, subapplications are due in late July, with final applications due to FEMA in early August. While the program is offered annually, each cycle requires updated submissions and adherence to current Notice of Funding Opportunity guidance. Award decisions are made following federal review, and successful applicants must comply with post-award requirements including procurement standards, documentation submission, and adherence to federal regulations such as the Build America, Buy America Act. Support is available to applicants through the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, which provides technical assistance, guidance on benefit-cost analysis, and support with environmental compliance requirements. Applicants are encouraged to engage early in the process to ensure readiness and compliance. Technical assistance inquiries are directed to the program contact email provided by the state agency, which serves as the primary point of communication throughout the application and award process.

Focus on projects addressing Severe Repetitive Loss and Repetitive Loss properties; ensure early procurement planning to avoid conflicts of interest; maintain NFIP insurance compliance for all benefiting properties