Philippi Earns Discounts On Flood Insurance
Release Date: June 12, 2003
Release Number: 1455-77
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Philippi, WV -- Citizens in the City of Philippi, Barbour County, will get a 10 percent discount on most National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies. Philippi residents are eligible for these savings thanks to the voluntary efforts undertaken by community officials to exceed the minimum standards of the NFIP. This discount will be applied to eligible new or renewed policies after May 1, 2003.
"The small but tight-knit City of Philippi is the first community in West Virginia to participate in the Community Rating System (CRS), a program that evaluates land use management in regard to floodplain issues and rewards communities that go 'above and beyond,'" said Robert Perry, state NFIP coordinator.
"We encourage Philippi citizens to add new activities yearly to reach an even better CRS classification," Anthony S. Lowe, director mitigation division emergency preparedness and response directorate, said. "Each improvement in CRS class results in higher flood insurance premium savings and brings your community closer to being truly disaster resistant."
Some of the activities the community has undertaken to achieve this significant cost savings for their citizens includes management of such things as:
- Elevation certificates;
- Map information;
- Outreach projects;
- Flood protection library;
- Flood protection assistance;
- Open space preservation;
- Storm water management;
- Floodplain management planning;
- Acquisition and relocation;
- Retrofitting;
- Installation of backflow valves;
- Geographic Information System-aided floodplain management;
- Annual review of repetitive loss properties;
- Drainage system maintenance; and
- Flood warning program.
Homeowners and renters can buy NFIP flood insurance through most major private insurance companies and licensed property insurance agents who sell homeowners' or property insurance.
For further information or assistance call the NFIP's toll-free information line at 800-427-4661 or for individuals with hearing or speech impairments (TTY/TDD) 800-427-5593.
The NFIP is a self-supporting program. All claims and operating expenses are paid from policyholder premiums, not tax dollars. Furthermore, it is estimated that NFIP building standards prevent $1 billion in flood losses annually and reduce the burden of disaster relief costs on all taxpayers.
Last Modified: Thursday, 12-Jun-2003 12:11:26