Flood Insurance Policyholders In Selected
Release Date: October 15, 2004
Release Number: HQ-04-227a
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security today announced that as of October 1, 2004, property owners in 33 communities in 19 states will pay less for flood insurance, thanks to special efforts by local officials to reduce future flood losses. In 2004, each of the 33 communities undertook measures to educate residents about flooding, change zoning rules and/or building regulations, and other mitigation steps.
Premium reductions of at least five percent for new and existing policyholders are the result of actions taken by officials in these communities under the Community Rating System (CRS) of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP is administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, praised all of the communities being recognized with new ratings.
“They have earned the CRS’ award of lower flood insurance premiums as well as peace of mind,” Brown said. “Thanks to the efforts of their local officials, property owners should experience less flood damage in the future. Just as we encourage people to become more disaster-resistant by buying flood insurance, these communities have accepted that responsibility as well and are affording their residents the benefit of paying less for their flood insurance coverage.”
The rating system rewards communities that voluntarily take steps beyond the minimum requirements of the NFIP to reduce flood risks and increase the effectiveness of flood insurance protection. Such activities can fall under one or more of the following categories: flood preparedness; flood damage reduction; mapping and regulations; and public awareness.
Premium discounts resulting from these CRS activities range in five percent increments from Class 9 (five percent) to Class 1 (45 percent). For example, a community rated as a Class 9 will have premiums reduced five percent, a Class 8 community will receive a ten percent reduction, and so on.
Under the NFIP, federally backed flood insurance is made available to homeowners, renters and business owners in communities that adopt and enforce local ordinances that reduce future flood losses by regulating new construction. Currently, nearly 4.4 million flood insurance policies are in force in more than 20,000 participating communities nationwide, representing more than $702 billion worth of coverage.
Nearly 3 million policyholders in 1006 communities now benefit from the Community Rating System. A list of communities recently qualifying for premium reductions follows.
For information about flood insurance, property owners should contact their insurance agent or call the NFIP's toll-free information line at 1-800-427-4661. Flood insurance information is also available at the U.S. Government’s FloodSmart website at www.floodsmart.gov or on FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov/nfip/
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizens Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Communities that have implemented flood-loss reduction measures:
| State | Community Name |
|---|---|
| AK | Anchorage |
| AR | City of Jacksonville |
| CT | Town of East Haven |
| CT | Borough of Stonignton |
| DE | Town of Fenwick Island |
| FL | City of Davie |
| FL | Highlands County |
| FL | City of Lakeland |
| FL | City of Neptune Beach |
| FL | City of Parker |
| GA | Jekyll Island St. Pk. Authority |
| GA | City of Tybee Island |
| IL | City of St. Charles |
| IL | City of Wood Dale |
| IN | City of Evansville |
| KS | City of Lawrence |
| LA | Ascension Parish |
| LA | City of Houma |
| LA | City of Lake Charles |
| LA | Terrebonne Parish |
| MS | City of Ridegeland |
| NV | Douglas County |
| NC | Town of Farmville |
| NC | Town of Grifton |
| NC | Pitt County |
| OK | City of Lawton |
| OR | Clackamas County |
| OR | City of Rockaway Beach |
| PA | Township of Shaler |
| SC | City of Greenville |
| SC | City of Isle of Palms |
| TX | Bastrop County |
| WA | Clark County |
Last Modified: Friday, 15-Oct-2004 13:34:23