Lee County notified of FEMA decision to maintain Community Rating System classification and policyholder discounts

07/19/2024

Lee County was notified Friday that FEMA will maintain unincorporated Lee County’s CRS rating of 5 and National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholder discounts at this time.

FEMA determined unincorporated Lee County residents with policies issued under the NFIP will maintain the discount rate of 25% while the county and FEMA continue to work on a plan to address some continuing issues. That plan will be due Nov. 18.

“We believe this is a positive step toward keeping the CRS rating for our unincorporated Lee County residents while we continue to remediate outstanding issues with FEMA,” Lee County Manager Dave Harner said. “Essentially the notification today provides the county an extension to further clarify our processes and preserve the CRS rating in the future.”

Unincorporated Lee County joined the Community Rating System (CRS) program in 1991, and most recently – in February 2023, just six months after Hurricane Ian made landfall – FEMA determined that Lee County would retain its Class 5 CRS.  In March 2024, FEMA initially announced plans to retrograde that class and remove the discount, prompting months of work on the part of FEMA and Lee County to clarify post-Ian activities and provide documentation requested by FEMA. That documentation was submitted June 3.

 

The county will continue its work with FEMA to provide additional information in the coming months. To view a complete overview of Lee County’s efforts and the situation, go to www.leegov.com/femacrs. The website includes:

 

  • FEMA’s programs, including the NFIP and CRS;
  • Lee County’s floodplain management efforts;
  • Hurricane Ian’s impacts, specifically in FEMA’s Special Flood Hazard Areas;
  • FEMA’s 2024 inquiry;
  • Post-Hurricane Ian building activity; and
  • Closing remarks on this process

The Lee Board of County Commissioners remains committed to retaining the CRS rating of 5 to maintain the discount available to unincorporated Lee County residents with NFIP policies.