North Charlotte Today

FEMA has acknowledged the City of Charlotte with a Class 2 status in its Community Rating System (CRS), leading to significant savings on flood insurance premiums for its residents. The new classification is expected to result in savings of at least $1 million annually.

With this upgraded status, National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies in regulated floodplain areas will experience up to a 40% discount. Other NFIP policyholders within the city will see up to a 10% reduction in premiums. This change became effective on April 1.

Achieving this rating was made possible through the efforts of City and County staff of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services. Their work includes flood safety communications, floodplain mapping, and the provision of alert systems like the Flood Information Notification System.

Charlotte joins the top 1% of over 1,500 communities participating in the CRS program across the nation, making it the highest-rated city in North Carolina.

The CRS, a voluntary program by FEMA, applauds communities that engage in floodplain management activities that go beyond the basic standards set by the NFIP. To attain various classifications, communities are required to pursue the goals of mitigating flood damage, ensuring accurate insurance premium ratings, and promoting flood insurance awareness. The system allows for a ten-level class rating, with each upgrade providing further reductions in flood insurance costs.

Further information about Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services can be found on their website, StormWater.CharMeck.org.