Manatee County Government
Local flood insurance policy holders will save thousands more following Manatee County’s Community Rating System upgrade
MANATEE COUNTY, FL (Sept. 28, 2010) – The annual premium savings for thousands of local flood insurance policy holders will top $2.6 million in 2011 following news that FEMA has upgraded Manatee County’s Community Rating System standing.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has posted its most recent Flood Insurance Manual, categorizing Manatee County as a Class 5 community -- a one-grade improvement from the Class 6 Manatee County achieved in 2004. As a result, nearly 12,000 flood insurance policy holders inside high risk 100-year floodplain areas will see premium savings increase from $174 per year to $218 per year.
The group in high-risk areas already was saving 20 percent on annual premiums when Manatee County was ranked as a Class 6 community. The improved rating raises the annual savings for this group from just over $2 million to $2.619 million. Another 744 policy holders in low-to-moderate risk areas will continue to save the maximum discount of 10 percent on their annual premiums. With the rating improvement, Manatee’s overall community savings will be $2.675 million.
Policy holders already were saving about $2.1 million thanks to steps the County has taken in prior years. Flood policy holders will be notified of their savings when their 2011 flood insurance bills are mailed later this year and next.
FEMA’s Community Rating System is a voluntary incentive program that encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed FEMA’s minimum requirements.
Communities can receive discounts when they take measures to reduce flood losses, facilitate accurate insurance ratings and promote the awareness of flood insurance.
Manatee County improved its community rating through several improvements in recent years, including:
• Sending outreach mailers;
• Improving stormwater management practices;
• Implementing a Local Mitigation Strategy, a planning document is designed to reduce or eliminate risks to people and property from natural and man-made hazards;
• Adopting a 2009 comprehensive plan amendment that adjusted the land use category of 40 parcels to a less intense category.
Several County departments were involved in the improved rating, particularly Building, Planning, Public Safety, Information Services, Public Works and Neighborhood Services departments.
“It is obvious that Manatee County staff is committed to floodplain management and protecting the citizens of Manatee County and surrounding communities from future flood events,” said Lori Lehr, field specialist with Insurance Services Office which manages the Community Rating System for FEMA. “Manatee County staff was well prepared, cooperative and eager to learn how to advance in the CRS program.”
To learn more about Manatee County’s upgrade, call Manatee County Floodplain Investigator Sandy Tudor at (941) 745-3078. For more information on the Community Rating System, visit http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/crs.shtm