Roanoke flooding in 1985
by James C. Sherlock
There were lots of comments in my last post about government programs to mitigate flooding damage in flood plains, specifically about buying and tearing down houses that repeatedly flood.
One of the carrots to do so is Community Rating System (CRS) discounts to flood insurance in communities that take an active role in flood plain risk mitigation.
CRS is a part of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). It is an incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum program requirements.
When that happens, not only is the risk of flooding diminished, but flood insurance premium rates for all citizens of a community that accomplishes the goals are appropriately discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk.
To quote the program web page,
“For National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System participating communities, flood insurance premium rates are discounted in increments of 5 percent.