MAY 9, 2012
Residents of unincorporated Maricopa County to pay less for flood insurance
PHOENIX – Effective May 1, 2012, property owners in unincorporated Maricopa County who purchase flood insurance are eligible for up to a 30 percent discount on their insurance premium, reflecting Maricopa County’s successful participation in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
The discount is a result of the Flood Control District of Maricopa County earning a Class 4 rating in the NFIP Community Rating System (CRS). This program was developed by FEMA to reward communities that implement floodplain management activities above and beyond the basic requirements of the NFIP. As a result, property owners enjoy a reduction in flood insurance premium rates in these communities.
The Community Rating System ranks communities on a 1–10 scale, with 1 being the best classification. Previously, the 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 1,100 communities that participate in CRS.
"Through expert floodplain management, the Flood Control District has proven that an efficient and effective county government agency can provide both public safety and relief to citizens’ pocketbooks,” said Chairman Max Wilson, Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. “Residents’ money can now go farther to properly protect the value of their property in case of flooding damage.”
Lower Flood Insurance Premiums
Unincorporated Maricopa County residents with property located in a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) will receive a 30 percent reduction in their flood insurance premiums. An SFHA (also known as a 100-year floodplain) is subject to the 1 percent annual chance flood. Residents with property in a lower-risk flood zone outside of an SFHA are eligible for a 10 percent premium reduction. A Preferred Risk policy, one with the lowest available premium rate, is not eligible for a discount.
The average discount in unincorporated Maricopa County will be approximately $170 for all flood insurance policies. An SFHA policy will have an average discount of $215.
In April 2012 there were 2,129 flood insurance policies in force in unincorporated Maricopa County.
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.
Ongoing Flood Hazard
Outreach Efforts
"The achievement of the Class 4 rating reflects the Flood Control District’s continued success in leading our industry with sustainable, strategic programs to protect the lives and property of county residents," said District Chief Engineer and General Manager Tim Phillips.
The upgraded Class 4 rating is a reflection of FEMA’s high scores 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 District manages floodplains in all the unincorporated areas of Maricopa County plus 12 incorporated communities.
Each year the District mails a “Flood Facts” booklet to approximately 6,500 residents in unincorporated Maricopa County. The booklet is a guide to flood hazard safety, floodplain regulations and the natural benefits of floodplains. The District’s Web site also features free floodplain maps to help property owners determine their flood risk.
To view locations of regulated floodplains in Maricopa County, visit the Maps section of the Flood Control District of Maricopa County: fcd.maricopa.gov.
For information about FEMA’s Community Rating System: www.fema.gov/business/nfip/crs.shtm
For more information visit www.floodsmart.gov.
