City of Highland Park Maintains FEMA National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System Class 8 Rating
Flood Insurance Premium Discounts Available To Highland Park Property Owners
March 8, 2022 – The City of Highland Park is pleased to announce that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has reaffirmed Highland Park’s classification as a National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System (CRS) Class 8 Community. Certification as a CRS organization is a step beyond FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (FIP) community certification, which allows the community to regulate construction in floodplain areas. Most importantly, this designation allows residents to take advantage of subsidized lower flood insurance premiums. As a CRS organization, the City allows residents to receive a further discount on already-subsidized flood insurance premiums.
“The City of Highland Park Department of Public Works prioritizes flooding mitigations as essential to ensuring the continued health, safety, and welfare of our community, as well as advancing our long-term sustainability goals,” said Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Ramesh Kanapareddy, P.E. C.F.M. “We are proud that the City’s CRS Class 8 designation has been reaffirmed by FEMA, as it not only recognizes Highland Park’s extensive floodplain management program, but delivers great value to our community members."
As a result of the City’s proactive efforts to reduce flooding, 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:
- Reduce flood damage to insurable property
- Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP
- Encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management
Highland Park’s CRS 8 Rating qualifies property owners for an additional 10% discount on flood insurance premiums. Property owners that do not live in the floodplain can be eligible to get flood insurance. Individuals interested in this discount should ask their insurance agent if they or their company participate in the National Flood Insurance Program as not all companies do. Individuals may also visit floodsmart.gov to find a participating agent in the area to take advantage of the coverage and savings.
The CRS designation was implemented in 1990 as a voluntary incentive program to recognize communities for implementing floodplain management best practices to provide properties with higher protection from flooding. Only 66 communities in Illinois participate in the CRS.
For additional information on the City’s efforts to address flooding, including homeowner tips to reduce flooding, please visit cityhpil.com/flooding. For more information regarding floodplain areas, please contact Ron Milanesio, P.E, Civil Engineer at 847.926.1183 or via rmilanesio@cityhpil.com.
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