New Rating Equals Flood Insurance Discounts for Residents

FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS) has recognized the City of Charlotte as a Class 2 community, a designation that will save residents an estimated $1 million or more in annual flood insurance premiums.  

The upgraded designation creates a discount of up to 40% on National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies in the regulated floodplain. All other NFIP policies within the city will receive a discount of up to 10%.  

The new rating—effective April 1—is a result of hard work by City and County staff across Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services to protect the public from the risks of flooding. That includes communicating flood safety information, providing floodplain mapping resources and offering alert systems such as the Flood Information Notification System.

Charlotte is now among the top 1% of more than 1,500 communities nationwide participating in the CRS program and the top rated in North Carolina.

CRS is a voluntary FEMA program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed minimum NFIP standards. Under CRS, communities are asked to meet three goals: reduce flood losses, facilitate accurate insurance rating, and promote the awareness of flood insurance. The program includes 10 different class rating levels and each class advancement brings an additional reduction in flood insurance premiums.  

Learn more about Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services at StormWater.CharMeck.org.