Community Ratings System Program

About the Program

Category: Risk and Emergency Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2012

Flood plain management has become an increasingly large issue for counties across the country every year, as the push for environmental protection grows. The County of San Diego is a participating member of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) since October 2007. The CRS is a voluntary program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the standard NFIP requirements. As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community actions meeting the goals of the CRS. Additionally, CRS participation for the County of San Diego provides an overall reduction in costs of flood damages through implementation of higher building standards; and education and communication with County residents on flood protection, flood preparedness, and water quality. The CRS Class Ratings are in increments of 5% from a Class 10 community, which receives no discount, to a Class 1 community, which receives a 45% premium discount. The CRS classes are based on 18 creditable activities, organized under four categories: Public Information; Mapping and Regulations; Flood Damage Reduction; and Flood Preparedness. Asa result of this program and it's premiums, the county's floodplain management system is more accountable and reliable.