Flood insurance reminders going out this week

The City of Biloxi, as part of its continuing efforts to educate property owners about the dangers of storms and flooding, is reminding residents this week about the importance of having flood insurance, regardless of where they live.

“More than 20 percent of the claims in the National Flood Insurance Program are from outside identified flood zones,” says a postcard being mailed to all residents of Biloxi, “and claims outside the flood risk area account for a third of disaster assistance for flooding.”

The postcards, part of the city’s award-winning public outreach efforts, also remind residents about the importance of buying flood insurance before hurricane season, which begins June 1. The postcard notes that flood insurance policies take 30 days to become effective and no policies will be sold when a storm is in the Gulf of Mexico.

The postcard also uses quick response codes to link to the city’s web site. In a few weeks, residents in flood zones will receive a notice reminding them of the risks they face, followed by a citywide newsletter to remind residents of steps they should take to minimize the damage from storms and flooding.

Said Mayor A.J. Holloway: “These postcards and newsletters, which we have been doing annually for many years, are mandated by the federal government, and by doing them we are helping keep flood insurance rates low for homeowners.”

See the postcard: To see this year’s flood-insurance postcard, designed by Robin Stephens of The Ad Group,

click here.

The flood map: To see an easy-to-read map showing the city’s flood zones (if you live in a green or yellow section, you’re in a flood zone), click here. The map shows the pre-Katrina flood zone and the areas added to the flood zone (labeled DFIRM since information was lifted from a Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map) in 2009. For the record, the flood zone grew by 170 percent, increasing from 4,928 parcels to 8,376 parcels.

Storm & Flood: To visit the Storm and Flood Preparedness section of the city web site,
click here.

News and notes

History in the making, Part I: The city’s Thursdays in May series moves to Water Street and the Rue Magnolia today. A walking tour begins at 5:30 at Gallery 782 and makes its way to the Slay House, where a representative of the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi will explain the building’s historic significance and its role as a new Craftsmen’s Guild satellite office. To read more about Thursdays in May, click here.

History in the making, Part II: Historical Administrator Bill Raymond reminds preservationists that Friday is the deadline to nominate worthy efforts for the preservation awards. Read more about the program and see an online nomination form by
clicking here.

Fire museum fish fry: The West End Hose Company No. 3, also known as the Biloxi Fire Museum, will hold a fish fry Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the museum on Howard Avenue. Those interested can dine at the museum or pick up to-go orders. Fish plates are $7 each, Call 435-6119. Biloxi Fire Department Battalion Chief Joe Boney discusses the fish fry and other doin’s at the museum in the current City Desk webcast. To listen to the program, which also features Sgt. Jackie Rhodes of the Biloxi Police Department, click here.