Flood Insurance Costs Cut In Neptune Beach
Release Date: November 6, 2004
Release Number: 1545-164
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ORLANDO, Fla. -- Property owners in Neptune Beach and four other Florida communities will pay 10 percent less for flood insurance, thanks to special efforts by local officials to reduce future flood losses, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) announced today.
The new flood insurance premiums took effect October 1, reflecting actions the communities took to educate residents about flooding, zoning rules and building regulations, and other mitigation steps.
Residents of Neptune Beach hold 1,250 policies totaling $278 million in coverage. Statewide, Floridians hold 1,819,861 policies with $285 billion worth of coverage, more than 40 percent of the policies nationwide.
Other communities that earned reductions are Highlands County, the cities of Lakeland and Parker, and the town of Davie.
Neptune Beach policyholders will pay less for flood insurance because city officials preserved 166 acres of floodplain land as open space. Town officials regularly maintain and inspect the community drainage system, make up-to-date flood zone information readily available, and enforce stormwater management regulations.
Bill Carwile, federal coordinating officer for disaster recovery efforts in Florida, praised the city for its improved rating.
"They have earned peace of mind as well as lower insurance premiums," Carwile said. "Property owners should experience less flood damage in the future, and residents are also paying less for flood insurance."
Federally backed flood insurance is available to homeowners, renters and business owners in communities that adopt and enforce local ordinances that reduce future flood losses by regulating new construction. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is administered by FEMA.
For information about flood insurance, property owners should contact their insurance agents or call the flood program's toll-free information line at 1-800-427-4661. Flood insurance information is also available at www.floodsmart.gov or 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 Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Monday, 08-Nov-2004 13:18:06