Anchorage Earns CRS 7 Rating
Residents Pay Less For Flood Insurance
Release Date: October 22, 2004
Release Number: R10-04-182
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Municipality of Anchorage residents now 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, Anchorage has the best overall floodplain management program of any community in Alaska and residents will not only pay less in insurance premiums, but will also enjoy reduced exposure to flood damage.
“The CRS rewards communities for initiatives which protect their citizens from flooding,” said Pennington. “Such activities can encompass one or more of the following categories: mapping and regulations, flood damage reduction, flood preparedness or public awareness. Anchorage’s new regulatory standards, public education outreach and open space preservation initiatives have earned a CRS Class 7 Rating.”
Anchorage Floodplain and CRS Coordinator Jack Puff agrees. “We’ve worked hard to educate our citizens on flood risks and floodplain regulations, and have reduced repetitive flood losses by preserving over 4,140 acres within the city limits of Anchorage as open space,” said Puff. “We can’t stop the rain but we can protect our citizens from the worst effects of flooding. After all that’s what 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. Anchorage’s new Class 7 rating has earned policyholders a fifteen percent reduction on flood insurance premiums (an average savings of $64 per policy).
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 the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Friday, 22-Oct-2004 16:09:26