The Know Flood Newscast

Know Flood Newscast Ep 14 - Rod Scott, FMIA Cofounder and Flood Mitigation Advocate

With the release of Risk Rating 2.0, it’s clear that home elevation will become the key to successful mitigation and flood insurance premium reduction.  No expert in the country advocates as hard as Rod Scott to ensure mitigation strategies are implemented and funded nationwide.  Rod is the co-founder of the Flood Mitigation Industry Association (FMIA), and overall advocate for the mitigation and elevation of flood prone buildings.  Rod talks to us about his extensive experience in the field of flood mitigation, and how he has taken the lessons learned from his hometown in Mandeville, Louisiana, (where 85% of the buildings are elevated) and worked to apply them nationally.  Listen as Tim and Joe talk to Rod about how we can educate our local officials, and Congress, to fund home elevation projects in our communities. 

Know Flood Newscast Ep 13 - Michael Hecht, GNO Inc.

He’s been dubbed “One of the Ten People Who Made a Difference in the South” and “CEO of the Year”.  No matter how he’s referred to, there’s no mistake that Michael Hecht Is critical to the New Orleans business scene.  As President and CEO of Greater New Orleans, Inc, Michael has overseen the creation of the Coalition for Sustainable Flood Insurance (CSFI), which played a major part if the passage of the Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Act (HFIAA).  Now, with both a September 30^th legislative deadline looming and the implementation of Risk Rating 2.0 on the horizon, GNO Inc, CSFI and Michael Hecht have new challenges with similar impacts to flood insurance and the economy.  Join us as we talk with Michael about GNO Inc’s efforts to understand Risk Rating 2.0, and what legislative proposals they would like to see in an NFIP reform package.  Michael also discusses the New Orleans specific impacts flood reform present, and how recent storm events are examples of the importance flood insurance plays in our nation.   

Know Flood Newscast Episode 12 – Chris Greene (The Flood Insurance Guru)

A common theme from most of our guests have been the idea of flood insurance education.  From lenders, insurance agents, to real estate professionals and community officials.  Flood insurance and mitigation education affects all of us.  Chris Greene, otherwise knows as the Flood Insurance Guru is an expert in flood insurance education, advocacy and knowledge.  With his poop hat, pig hat or other prop, Chris entertains and educates with almost 1,000 flood education videos and podcasts.  As Chris says about his pig hat, “The reason I bought that one is because people say my house will flood when pigs fly.  Well guess what, pigs are flying”.  Chris discusses what he does, the critical importance of flood education, and why he’s knows as the “Flood Insurance Guru”

Know Flood Newscast Ep 11 - Merrie Inderfurth, Legislative Update

In the first few weeks of 2021, our nation was impacted by changes in our political climate.  In addition to the instability in Washington DC, the US Senate changed majorities and a new President is set to bring sweeping changes to US policy.  But how will this affect flood legislation in 2021 and beyond?  It’s one of the most pressing issues facing flood insurance stakeholders.  Joe and Tim talk to Merrie Inderfurth, Legislative Liaison for the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) and the National Flood Association (NFA), about the current legislative climate, recent bills that have passed and not passed, and the future of flood legislation and how it impacts you.  Listen to this very special, and current, legislative update. 

Know Flood Newscast Ep 10 - Tom Little

The MCC has been focused in recent years on helping mitigate flood risk.  No company, knows the best solutions for flood mitigation like Smart Vent, Risk Reduction Plus, and Floodproofing.com.  We hear the word “mitigation” all the time, but what does it really mean to those with flood risk?  We speak to Tom Little, Executive Vice President, who talks about mitigation and its impact on flood insurance and loss reduction.  Joe and Tim also discuss with Tom the future of flood mitigation, and how complicated issues like Risk Rating 2.0 will change floodplain management.  Tom also gives his thoughts on how far we’ve come after just passing the 8 year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy. 

Know Flood Newscast Ep 9 - Jim Albert

Technology has become a major factor in the future of insurance, but nowhere is it more prevalent than in the quickly evolving flood insurance industry.  Joe and Tim talk to Jim Albert, founder of Neptune private flood insurance, about how technology is not only improving the flood product, but the buying experience.  And that experience is expanding to all parts of our lives.  Jim discuses how new flood risk data is changing our perception on flood insurance.  Jim also talks about a recent survey Neptune did showing that while many households don't purchase flood insurance, the survey also dives into why they don't purchase it.  Listen as Jim talks about the future of flood insurance, and where the industry is headed.  

Know Flood Newscast Ep 8 - Jim Nadeau

With all the discussion around flood data, there is a constant discussion around which model is better, and which set of data gives our best perspective of risk.  But talking to Jim Nadeau, Tim and Joe learn about accuracy vs precision, and how that is applied to the available flood data.  Additionally, Jim talks about how he applies his deep understanding of flood data to land surveying, an explanation of what the Technical Mapping Advisory Council (TMAC) is and what the future of mapping may hold.

Know Flood Newscast Ep 7 - Patty Templeton-Jones

Joe and Tim get a new perspective on flood: from the insurance company.  Patty Templeton-Jones, President/Chief Program Advocate of Wright National Flood Insurance, gives a unique perspective on the NFIP, Risk Rating 2.0, and legislative reform.  Most importantly, Patty highlights the most critical part of flood insurance regardless of future changes.  And to conclude, we talk about what does the insurance company do with the money they make from the NFIP?  It's a lot different, and better, than you might think.  

Know Flood Newscast Ep 6 - Dr. Carolyn Kousky

Flood insurance is vital for our communities recovery. But that means households need to purchase it.  Join us in a special Know Flood Newscast as we talk to Dr. Carolyn Kousky, Executive Director of the Wharton Risk Center. The motivation to buy flood insurance comes down to several basic reasons, but those reasons have tentacles that touch many subjects such as Risk Rating 2.0 and flood mitigation. Listen to hear if we uncover the key to getting more people to buy flood insurance.

Know Flood Newscast Ep 5 - Chris Heidrick

Joe and Tim talk to Chris Heidrick, past Chair of the Flood Insurance Producers National Committee and owner of Heidrick & Company Insurance.  Among the wide ranging interview topics of Risk Rating 2.0 and private flood insurance, we focus in on how the NFIP's customer experience has changed over the years.  Since Chris has testified in front of Congress on the NFIP, we also discuss NFIP legislative reform, and how 2020 may look for the flood industry.