Flood insurance rates improve for Slidell homeowners | NOLA.com

Slidell's flood insurance rating has improved, and as a result, people whose homes are in an area of the city deemed vulnerable to inundation are eligible to receive a 15 percent discount, municipal officials announced on Tuesday.

Based on policies and programs promoted by the city, Slidell recently earned a Class 7 rating from voluntarily participating in the Community Rating System overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Flood Insurance Program. An accompanying discount of 15 percent for those located in the part of Slidell that the rating system considers the Special Flood Hazard Area, or SFHA, should go into effect immediately, Mayor Freddy Drennan said.

Drennan encouraged homeowners to check their policies and inform their insurance companies about the discount. Homeowners outside of the SFHA are still eligible for a 5 percent discount on flood insurance, Drennan added.

The municipality for the past five years had maintained a Class 8 rating, which permitted homeowners in the SFHA a smaller discount of 10 percent on their flood insurance.

According to FEMA, the lowest classification a community choosing to participate in the rating system can be given is 9, which translates into a 5 percent discount. The highest classification is 1, which represents a premium discount of 45 percent for those in the SFHA. Communities with scores from 6 to 9 are re-evaluated every five years, and communities with scores from 1 to 5 are reevaluated every three years.

Slidell says it achieved its lowered rating after undertaking community outreach projects; enforcing higher regulatory standards; performing routine drainage system maintenance and storm water management; preserving 263 acres in the city's SFHA as open space; maintaining elevation certificates; publicizing and providing flood zone information; and making information about flood plans and flood protection easily accessible to the public.

"These increased savings are a direct result of the voluntary activities the city has implemented," Drennan said. "I would like to thank our city employees for their hard work in qualifying the city for the program and helping our citizens save money on their flood insurance."

The coordinator for Slidell's participation in the community rating system is Nancy Durham, a certified floodplain manager.

Source: http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/08/flood_insurance_rates_improve.html

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