Improved flood rating means lower costs

Mark Knight, Director of Planning and Building, reported to Historic City News today that the City of St. Augustine has been working with a flood mitigation consultant for the past six months in an effort to lower the City’s flood rating score from an “eight” to a “seven”.

The City participates in the National Flood Insurance Program which makes flood insurance coverage available to homeowners at reduced premiums; based on the Community Rating System.

This year, city residents received at 10% discount on flood insurance; however, next year, homeowners will qualify for an additional 5% discount based on the improved rating.

Since most areas of the City of St. Augustine are located within a Special Flood Hazard Area, homeowners are strongly encouraged to obtain flood insurance coverage.

“City staff has worked diligently and we are doing everything possible to assist taxpayers to lower their cost of living in the city through our consultant and our regulatory agencies; Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Flood Insurance Program and ISO,” Knight told Historic City News local reporters. “This should be good news to them.”

The Community Rating System has not been lowered since 1998 and it’s been estimated that the savings to homeowners next year on flood insurance will be approximately $160,000.

For more information you can call the Planning and Building Department at 904-825-1065.