Downers Grove Property Owners Qualify for Reduced Flood Insurance

The village has been notified by the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) that Downers Grove's rating under the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System has been raised from a CRS 7 to CRS 6. 

The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes communities for implementing floodplain management practices that exceed Federal minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to provide protection from flooding. Only 57 communities in Illinois participate in the CRS.

In exchange for a community's proactive efforts to reduce flood risk, policy holders can receive reduced flood insurance premiums for buildings in the community. These reduced premiums reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from community efforts toward achieving the three CRS goals:

1. Reduce flood damage to insurable property

2. Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP

3. Encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management

There were over a dozen stormwater best practices and activities in place by the village that were recognized by the rating agency. Some of these practices include Village flood protection standards, local flood studies, and open space preservation. The improved rating speaks to the effectiveness of the Village's proactive approaches to stormwater management and mitigating flood risk.

The Village's CRS 6 rating qualifies property owners who live in the floodplain for a 20% discount on flood insurance premiums, as of May 1, 2014. Property owners that do not live in the floodplain can still benefit from a 10% reduction in flood insurance premiums.

Ask your insurance agent if they or their company participate in the National Flood Insurance Program; not all of them do.  Or visit www.floodsmart.gov to find a participating agent in the area to take advantage of the coverage and savings.

Source: Village of Downers Grove