Kemah Is Best In Texas Floodplain Management Earns Lowest Flood Insurance Rates in State
Release Date: October 25, 2000
Release Number: R6-00-33
DENTON, Texas -- Kemah is the first Texas community to obtain a Class 5 rating from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) under the Community Rating System (CRS) Program. That means a 25 percent savings in premiums to flood insurance policyholders and the lowest flood insurance rates in Texas.
"Kemah residents will save thousands of dollars on flood insurance premiums," commented R. L. "Buddy" Young, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region VI Director. Equally important are the savings in lives and property damage Kemah citizens will experience in future floods because of the city's positive floodplain management.
In addition to maintaining mandatory requirements, Kemah has gone further. Activities that earned this lower rating include:
- Acquired and/or relocated flood prone structures
- Implemented a method to ensure the drainage system is maintained
- Provided map information for citizens and other interested parties
- Made flood insurance information available at the library for public use
FEMA will present a special plaque Thursday, October 26 to recognize the city for its positive floodplain management. Presentation will be at 9 a.m. at Kemah City Hall.
Under the Community Rating System, a community that takes steps to reduce flood risk as a result of programs focusing on public information, mapping and regulations, flood preparedness and flood damage reduction receives adjustments to flood insurance premiums. The discounts are in 5 percent increments from Class 9 (5 percent) to Class 1 (45 percent).
Last Modified: Wednesday, 03-Dec-2003 10:59:44