FEMA Officially Presents Maricopa County with Achievement of Reduction in Flood Insurance Rates

PHOENIX (June 7, 2012) — The Flood Control District of Maricopa County has been recognized for achieving a Class 4 rating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS). Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region IX Floodplain Management & Insurance Branch Chief Gregor Blackburn presented Chairman Max Wilson and the board with a plaque denoting the achievement.

The Class 4 rating went into effect on May 1, 2012, earning property owners in unincorporated Maricopa County up to a 30 percent reduction of their flood insurance premium.

"This achievement is yet another example of how the Flood Control District leads the nation in floodplain management,” said Max Wilson, chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. “The board is proud to support the District’s programs which protect county residents from flooding hazards and ultimately reduce the cost of flood insurance for those residents who need it.”

The CRS program was developed by FEMA to reward communities that implement floodplain management activities above and beyond the basic requirements of the NFIP. The upgraded Class 4 rating is a reflection of FEMA’s high ranking of the District’s floodplain management activities such as floodplain mapping, regulatory standards, public outreach/flood hazard safety education, flood control infrastructure, floodplain management planning, stormwater management and flood warning programs.

The Community Rating System ranks communities on a 1–10 scale, with 1 being the best classification. Previously, the Flood Control District maintained a Class 5 rating, which offered up to a 25 percent flood insurance discount.

Maricopa County is now one of only 11 communities with a Class 4 rating or better out of the 1,300 communities that participate in CRS.

The average flood insurance premium discount for homes and businesses in a special flood hazard area in unincorporated Maricopa County is $215. The District manages floodplains in all the unincorporated areas of Maricopa County plus 12 incorporated communities. Incorporated communities also participating in the CRS are Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Glendale, Chandler and Gilbert. Flood insurance policy discounts in these communities range from 5 to 20 percent.

The Flood Control District of Maricopa County is tasked to provide regional flood hazard identification, regulation, remediation, and education to Maricopa County residents so that they can reduce their risk of injury, death, and property damage from flooding, while still enjoying the natural and beneficial values served by floodplains.

PHOTO: FEMA Regional branch Chief Gregor Blackburn is pictured with members of the Board of Supervisors. L to R: Don Stapley, Andy Kunasek, County Manager Tom Manos, Max Wilson, Blackburn, Mary Rose Wilcox and Fulton Brock.