Community Rating System (CRS)

FEMA Flood Maps

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)  issued new floodplain maps that designate the entire City of Long Beach as a Flood Zone as of September 11, 2009.

If your property is now in the low risk zone (X), your pre-September 11 rate may be grandfathered,saving you hundreds of dollars yearly in flood insurance. If your home is now designated in a higher risk zone (AE), which encompasses virtually all of Long Beach, your lender will require flood insurance. If you intend to refinance a mortgage, your rate will be based on the new flood maps after September 11, 2009.

The City does not determine flood insurance rates; they are established by FEMA. However, the City is one of only a few communities on Long Island to participate in the Community Rating System (CRS) through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). 

Community Rating System (CRS)

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) utilizes a Community Rating System to incentivize community floodplain management practices that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements by providing discounted premium flood rates. In order to receive a discount communities must meet three goals:

1. Reduce Flood Damage
2. Facilitate Accurate Insurance Rating
3. Promote the Awareness of Flood Insurane

The City has lower resident flood insurance premiums by 15% for eligible policy holders. After conducting a comprehensive analysis of the NFIP CRS Manual to identify activities to increase the City’s score, and a goal was set to achieve Class 6 Status. The City currently has a Class 7 rating, improving from Class 8 after Sandy, and continues to strive for Class 6, including publishing and sending to each home annual flood and hurricane awareness newsletters; Implementation of flood mitigation projects  such as road reconstruction and tide flex valve replacement; planning and implementation of Community Reconstruction Plan projects and Comprehensive Plan update.

This proactive approach, which included promoting public awareness about flood damage and loss reduction, bulkhead rehabilitation and street drainage and infrastructure improvements, has maximized our CRS potential and reduced residential and commercial NFIP premium rates. 

Below, please find the NFIP Community Rating Point System chart for your reference. Call your insurance company for more info or look for updates or view flood maps by logging onto www.floodsmart.gov.

Long Beach Floodplain Management Program