Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Dare County has received official notice from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that its Community Rating System (CRS) ranking and associated flood insurance discounts will improve effective April 1, 2022.

All property owners in unincorporated Dare County with flood insurance coverage will be awarded this 20 percent discount on policies that are issued or renewed on or after April 1, 2022.

The CRS is a voluntary program of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that recognizes local government outreach activities and floodplain management standards that exceed the minimum requirements of the NFIP.

“Dare County was previously rated as a Class 7 but will now move to a Class 6 due to the county’s extensive and ongoing efforts to promote flood hazard awareness and to implement a wide array of floodplain management and mitigation activities throughout the Outer Banks community,” stated a press release from the county.

Dare County is one of more than 1,500 communities nationwide that participate in the CRS program and has participated since its implementation in 1992. In CRS communities, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community’s efforts that address the three goals of the program:

1. Reduce and avoid flood damage to insurable property.
2. Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP.
3. Foster comprehensive floodplain management.

The Dare County Planning Department oversees the county’s participation in the CRS program and administers annual outreach activities to property owners and stakeholders and also enforces Dare County’s floodplain regulations.

“The Dare County Board of Commissioners understands the importance of flood insurance and resilient floodplain management activities to Dare County and its citizens,” said Dare County planning director Donna Creef. “The county’s participation in the CRS program demonstrates the board’s commitment to achieving flood insurance premium discounts for our property owners while also educating property owners on the importance of flood insurance and mitigation of flood hazards. This 20 percent discount will be helpful for property owners in protecting their homes and investments with flood insurance coverage. As a property owner in unincorporated Dare County, I will personally benefit from this discount, and I am pleased with the county’s CRS class ranking increase.”

For additional information about Dare County’s participation in the CRS program and other flood mitigation information, visit darenc.com/flood or contact the Dare County Planning Department at 252-475-5873.

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS HERE.