Kentucky Community Recognized for Reducing Flood Risks

ATLANTA –The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recognized Louisville-Jefferson County, Ky as a premier participant in the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS). With additional steps the community has taken, Louisville-Jefferson County is now the first community in Kentucky, and only the second in the eastern US, to receive a CRS Class 3 rating. Jesse Munoz, FEMA Region IV mitigation division director, presented Metro Council President David Yates a plaque recognizing Louisville-Jefferson County’s achievement at the April 14 Metro Council Meeting.

The CRS rewards communities that voluntarily take steps to reduce flood risks beyond the minimum requirements of the NFIP, such as increasing flood protection and implementing preparedness and mitigation activities. As a result, property owners and renters in CRS-participating communities enjoy a reduction in flood insurance premiums.

“Louisville-Jefferson County is the only community in the commonwealth and among only a handful of communities nationwide that has achieved Class 3, which is a notably high rating,” said Gracia Szczech, regional administrator for FEMA Region IV. “I am pleased that we can recognize Louisville-Jefferson County for taking steps to make their community safer, more resilient and save their residents money.”

Policyholders in Louisville-Jefferson County first began receiving flood insurance discounts under the CRS program in 1991. Currently, there are more than 5,194 flood insurance policies in force in Louisville-Jefferson County, representing more than $880 million in flood insurance coverage. Policyholders located in the high risk areas of flooding, or Special Flood Hazard Areas, can now receive a 35 percent discount on their policy premium, which is an average savings of $505 per policy. Some policyholders in the lower risk areas are eligible for a 10 percent discount. In total, policyholders realize an annual savings of $2,054,687 because of the community’s participation in the CRS program.

For more information on the NFIP’s CRS program visit https://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program-community-rating-system. For more information about the NFIP, a program administered by FEMA, visit www.floodsmart.gov.

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