Richland County residents are receiving discounts of 5 percent or 10 percent on flood insurance due to the enhanced efforts by county officials to minimize the risks in flood-prone areas.

The county participates in a voluntary national incentive program that encourages local communities to develop stringent measures to alleviate the potential for damage and loss due to flooding.

“We’re excited about the progress we’re making to ensure the safety of our residents while also providing the extra bonus of lower insurance rates,” said Andrea R. Bolling, Richland County’s Floodplain Coordinator.

Having recently completed the renewal process, Richland County was recertified in September with a rating that will offer a 10 percent premium reduction on flood insurance for properties in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and a 5 percent discount on flood policy premiums for properties located outside a SFHA.

The Community Rating System (CRS) is a program for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) participating communities. More than 1,200 communities nationwide participate in the CRS by implementing local mitigation, floodplain management and outreach activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. Under the CRS, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reward community actions that meet the three goals of the CRS:

• Reduce flood losses
• Facilitate accurate insurance ratings
• Promote the awareness of flood insurance

Richland County currently has about 1,370 flood insurance policies with annual premiums of $941,492 covering a total insured value of $302 million. Without the CRS discounts, the premiums would be more than $1 million.

“Based on our rating,” Bolling said, “we are saving Richland County citizens up to $100,000 in premium costs.”

County officials have already started working toward more changes to improve the county’s rating and help residents receive even greater discounts in the future.

Lower flood insurance rates are not the only benefit for participating in the CRS. The county's floodplain management efforts help provide enhanced public safety, reduced damage to property and public infrastructure and avoidance of economic disruption and loss.

For more information on Richland County’s Floodplain Management, click here.