The City participates in FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This program allows residents and property owners in the City to purchase federally-subsidized flood insurance. Within the NFIP is a voluntary program called the Community Rating System (CRS). Under the CRS, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reward community actions that meet the three goals of the CRS, which are: (1) reduce flood damage to insurable property; (2) strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP; and (3) encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management.
The CRS uses a Class rating system that is similar to fire insurance rating to determine flood insurance premium reductions for residents. The Classes are rated from 10 to 1, with 1 being the best or highest rating. Up until now, the City has maintained a class 8, offering residents, most of whom are located outside of Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA), a 5% discount on their flood insurance policy. Due to the efforts of the CRS Team and various staff, the City was successful in applying for a reclassification. Effective May 1, the City will be recognized as a class 6, and the discount to those policies on properties located outside of the SFHA will be doubled (10% discount).
City staff continues to work with FEMA to increase our score, hoping to attain a level 5 or higher within the next year.
