Garden City Earns CRS 8 Rating
Residents Pay Less For Flood Insurance
Release Date: October 31, 2003
Release Number: R10-04-25
Boise, ID -- Garden City residents already enjoy reduced flood insurance premiums as a result of their city's active participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS). According to FEMA Regional Director John Pennington, they're about to pay even less.
"The CRS rewards communities for implementing programs and policies which protect their citizens from flooding," said Pennington. "Such activities can range from mapping, regulations and flood damage reduction to flood preparedness and public awareness programs. Garden City's new standards for protecting critical facilities and regulating water runoff generated by new development earned a CRS Class 8 rating."
Garden City floodplain administrator Marsha Lamascus agrees. "We recently rezoned 89 acres to open space use and have worked hard on a flood warning system," said Lamascus. "We can't stop the rain - but we can help protect our citizens from the worst effects of flooding, and that's what the CRS is all about."
Flood insurance premium reductions resulting from "above and beyond the minimum" initiatives run in five percent increments, from five percent to 45 percent. Class ratings range from Ten to One. The higher the flood protection activity, the lower the Class rating. Garden City's new Class 8 rating has earned policyholders a ten percent reduction on flood insurance premiums. Policyholders collectively will save $4,535. The average annual policy in Garden City is approximately $367.
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 Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Friday, 31-Oct-2003 08:25:01