FMA: The Flood Mitigation Assistance Program
The Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program helps Oklahoma communities reduce long-term flood risk.
FMA provides federal funding for projects that protect homes, neighborhoods, and infrastructure from future flooding. The program focuses on buildings that are insured through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and supports solutions that prevent repeat flood damage.
OEM serves as the state applicant and works with local governments and Tribal Nations to develop projects, submit applications, and manage awarded grants.
Eligible FMA Activities
- Buying and removing flood-prone structures (acquisition/demolition)
- Elevating homes above flood levels (structure elevation)
- Rebuilding structures to be more flood resilient (mitigation reconstruction)
- Dry floodproofing for eligible non-residential buildings
- Flood mitigation planning and project scoping
- Localized flood control projects such as stormwater improvements, upsized culverts, and new drainage structures
These projects help communities avoid repeated flood losses and reduce future recovery costs. Projects that meet NOFO definitions for Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) and Repetitive Loss (RL) properties are eligible for 100% and 90% federal cost share, respectively. All other projects that benefit NFIP-insured properties are eligible for 75% federal cost share.
FMA Webinar Scheduled
OEM has scheduled an informational webinar to provide updates on FY 2024 FMA.
The webinar is scheduled for 12 p.m. on July 8, 2026. To attend, please register online.
The presentation will include key details from the FMA FY 2024 NOFO, program eligibility, changes from past years, timeline, and how to apply. Any entity interested in applying for a FMA grant is welcome to attend the webinar.
FEMA also hosted an FMA webinar that you can watch on their YouTube Channel.
FY24 FMA Funding Opportunity
FEMA released the Fiscal Year 2024 Flood Mitigation Assistance Notice of Funding Opportunity for eligible annual flood mitigation activities. The table below outlines key program details for subapplicants.
Topic |
What Oklahoma Communities Should Know |
Program purpose |
Reduce repetitive flood losses and flood insurance claims through annual grants. |
Funds availability |
$600 million available nationwide, including funding for capability- and capacity-building activities, localized flood risk reduction projects, and individual flood mitigation projects. |
OEM subapplication deadline |
July 24, 2026 |
FEMA application deadline |
August 6, 2026 |
Eligible activities |
Hazard mitigation plans; project scoping; partnerships and SRL/RL strategy development; localized flood risk reduction projects; individual flood mitigation projects; and subrecipient management costs. |
Competition |
All planning, scoping, and project activities are scored and evaluated nationally by FEMA. Evaluation criteria vary by activity type, and the program prioritizes SRL and RL properties as defined in the NOFO. |
Special considerations |
All properties benefitting from FMA funds must have active NFIP flood insurance policies. OWRB can support communities in identifying SRL and RL properties. |
Hazard Mitigation Plan Extraordinary Circumstances
Subapplicants must hold a FEMA-approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan at the application deadline and at obligation. However, the FEMA Regional Administrator may grant an exception if a jurisdiction meets at least one of the following criteria:
- Qualifies as a small impoverished community
- Lacked sufficient capacity or expertise to complete the planning requirement
- Experienced significant disruption from a declared disaster
- Lacks a plan for reasons beyond its control
If an exception is granted, the jurisdiction must obtain a FEMA-approved plan within 12 months of the subaward or face termination. Subapplicants pursuing capability- and capacity-building activities are exempt from the plan requirement. OEM can support jurisdictions that need to request extraordinary circumstances.
Procurement
Procurement must follow 2 CFR 200. Potential subapplicants should be aware that a contractor hired to develop the FMA application, project plans, or project budget cannot compete for the contract to implement or construct that same project unless a single contract covering both phases was competitively procured in compliance with federal procurement standards under 2 C.F.R. Part 200. Local governments and potential subapplicants should plan procurement strategies early to avoid disqualifying conflicts of interest that could delay or disallow project costs. Local governments and nonprofits must maintain written conflict-of-interest standards for all staff involved in contract selection and administration. All recipients must maintain procurement documentation covering method rationale, contract type, contractor selection, and price basis. All infrastructure projects must comply with the Build America, Buy America Act.
OEM will require recipients to submit their procurement policy, documented procurement process, selection rationale, and executed contract documents before OEM processes any reimbursement under a federal award.
FEMA to host two BRIC Webinars
On May 5-6, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is hosting two national webinars to provide an overview about the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Fiscal Year 2024-25 funding opportunity. These sessions will cover important updates, eligibility requirements, and guidance for states, local communities, territories and Tribal Nations.
Webinar 1: Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 2:30–4 p.m. Eastern Time
Register for this session
Webinar 2: Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 2–3:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Register for this session
How OEM supports subapplicants
If your community is interested in applying for FMA funds, OEM can provide support throughout the process based on your needs. Potential support includes:
- Program guidance
- Subapplication development support
- Support with benefit-cost analysis and documentation
- Guidance on environmental and historic preservation requirements
Please direct technical assistance questions to hm@oem.ok.gov.
