For over 10 years, Fernandina Beach has participated in the Community Rating System (CRS) of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The City’s class 7 CRS rating results in a greater than 10 percent discount on flood insurance rates for residents and business owners.

Standard homeowner and commercial property insurance policies do not cover flood losses, so the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers this program to meet a vital coverage need. It offers federally backed insurance for people in communities that comply with guidelines for flood plain management.

April 2013: The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 will result in some changes to the NFIP. A summary of some of the changes can be viewed here.

Click Here to View Flood Elevation Certificates

The Community Rating System gives us points for complying with FEMA standards. The following are examples of how the community earns CRS points:

• Enforcing higher standards and regulations for safer construction practices
• Encouraging residents to retrofit homes and buildings making them less susceptible to flooding
• Maintaining drainage systems 
• Preserving open space – such as marshlands and undisturbed lands that can naturally receive and carry off water
• Reducing hazards
• Informing citizens about flood prevention, protection, and flood insurance (2012 Hurricane Season Community Newsletter)

By following these practices the City acquires CRS points, and with enough points, community residents and business owners are entitled to a discount on flood insurance rates.

Doing everything needed has advanced Fernandina Beach one class higher -  the City’s class 7 CRS rating results in a greater than 10 percent discount on insurance rates for citizens and places us among the top 1/5 of all communities nationally in this program.