Flood Insurance Premiums Could Increase in Part of Monroe County, Fla.
Release Date: February 27, 2002
Release Number: R4-02-17
Atlanta, GA -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has begun sending out letters to thousands of flood insurance policy holders in the unincorporated portions of Monroe County, Florida, telling them that their flood insurance premiums could increase beginning in May. The mass mailing has started now because federal regulations require that policy holders receive 90-day advance notice of impending premium increases.
A potential $50 surcharge to premiums will occur only if FEMA places Monroe County on probation. County officials have been working with FEMA to ensure that the county has a workable floodplain management program that will eliminate illegal use of enclosures below elevated buildings that are located in special flood hazard areas.
To keep from being placed on probation, the county must do four things by May 9, 2002:
1 - Adopt a resolution to enforce a countywide floodplain management inspection program. (The board of county commissioners did this on February 13th.)
2 - By March 14, begin a program to inspect potential violations of the floodplain management ordinance, beginning with buildings less than four years old.
3 - By April 11, provide FEMA a plan to ensure that structures more than four years old are in compliance with the floodplain ordinance.
4 - By May 9, 2002, receive approval of the plan from FEMA's regional office in Atlanta.
"We are encouraged by the resolution the board of county commissioners passed this month, and look forward to working with the county so it can accomplish the other three items," said FEMA Region IV Director Ken Burris. "The whole reason behind floodplain management is to keep people safe and reduce property loss. If the county meets the May 9, 2002, deadline, it will not be placed on probation and there will be no $50 surcharge on each renewed or new policy."
Enclosed areas below the base flood elevation may be used for building access, vehicle parking, storing yard tools and similar items, but cannot be enclosed and used as living space. An estimated 2,000 to 4,000 structures, however, have illegal enclosures.
"Insurance studies show the average home owner is 20 times more likely to be affected by a flood, than by a fire. It just makes good sense for the property owners and the local governments to do all they can to protect themselves and their property; that includes enforcing sound floodplain management ordinances," Burris said.
While the Keys have seen little hurricane action in recent years, long-term data and projection models show the Florida Keys to be the most hurricane prone area in the United States. The National Flood Insurance Program in unincorporated Monroe County has 28,799 flood insurance policies in force, representing more than $4 billion in property coverage. The $50 surcharge will be added to these policies only if the county is unable to meet the May 9, 2002, deadline.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 27-Aug-2003 12:02:02