The National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) was implemented in 1990 as a program for recognizing and encouraging community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP standards. The National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 codified the Community Rating System in the NFIP. Under the CRS, flood insurance premium rates are adjusted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from community activities that meet the three goals of the CRS:

    √ Reduce flood losses      
√ Facilitate accurate insurance rating
     √ Promote awareness of flood insurance

Community Costs and Benefits
No fee is charged for a community to apply for participation in the CRS. The only costs the community incurs are those of implementing creditable floodplain management activities and staff time.

There are many benefits to the community to join the CRS in addition to reduced flood insurance rates. CRS floodplain management activities provide enhanced public safety, a reduction in damage to property and public infrastructure, avoidance of economic disruption and losses, reduction of human suffering, and protection of the environment.

CRS Classification structure is based on credit points earned for example a Class 1 community has a 45 percent premium reduction in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) and a Class 10 community has a zero percent reduction. 

To learn more, visit the CRS Program Web. For more information or to request speakers, contact the Call Center at 941-861-5000 or e-mail:

CRS Coordinator, Desiree (Des) Companion, CFM
NFIP Enforcement, Martin (Marty) Duran, CFM

History of CRS Program in Sarasota County