National Flood Insurance Program and
Community Rating System
The City of Santa Clarita participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The intention of the NFIP is to lessen the financial devastation caused by flooding in communities across the United States. It is a voluntary program based on a mutual agreement between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the local community. Participation in the program makes federally backed flood insurance available to City residents and allows them to obtain direct federal relief following declared flood disasters. The City entered the NFIP in 1989. The program’s elements include:
- Flood Hazard Mapping – Creation of flood maps that show the risk of flooding
- Flood Insurance – Insuring homes and businesses in high and moderate-to-low risk areas nationwide
- Floodplain Management – Requires communities to adopt and enforce a floodplain management ordinance to lessen the damage from flooding
It is the combination of these activities that promote flood protection to our community and maintain the City’s eligibility to participate in the NFIP.
The documents below provide additional information on the NFIP:
- NFIP Fact Sheet
- Flood Maps
- Answers to Tough Questions
- Flood Risks Across the Country
- West Coast Rainy Season
- Increased Cost of Compliance
Get additional information on FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program.
The City also participates in the Community Rating System (CRS) program. CRS is a voluntary incentive program administered by FEMA that encourages NFIP communities to perform floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. As a reward, flood insurance premium rates within the community are discounted to reflect the level of reduced flood risk resulting from the community’s activities. The CRS activities have the following benefits:
- Reduces flood losses
- Educates about flood risks, flood safety, and benefits of natural floodplains
- Improves coordination between agency resources
- Improves preparedness and emergency response
- Facilitates accurate insurance rating
- Promotes the awareness of flood insurance
- Annual informational letter mail out to all owners of properties within the flood plain
The City of Santa Clarita entered the CRS program in 2001 as a Class 9 and as of October 1, 2009, earned enough CRS points to be awarded a Class 8 Rating. The City has continued to pursue opportunities to obtain additional CRS points and on February 8, 2019 earned enough CRS points to be awarded a Class 7 Rating. A Class 7 Rating means that residents purchasing or renewing their flood insurance policies for properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas within the City will receive a 15% discount on their flood insurance premium. The City will continue to identify other feasible CRS activities to earn a lower Class Rating to further reduce the flood insurance premium rates for our property owners.
No action is needed by the residents to receive the discount. It will be automatically applied upon purchase or renewal of the flood insurance policy. Please contact your insurance agent for more details.
Get additional information on FEMA’s Community Rating System
