GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – Whether you own or rent in Gainesville, if you have flood insurance, you could see a discount of up to 20% on policy premiums thanks to the city’s efforts to reduce flood risk.
As of Oct. 1, the City of Gainesville has moved up to a Class 6 classification in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS), one spot above its previous rating.
This has been in the works since 2021, when city and county staff teamed up with community stakeholders to fulfill CRS requirements. This has involved efforts to mitigate flood damage, manage the local floodplain and inform the community about flood risk. Finally, the work has paid off – literally.
FEMA will notify insurance companies of the city’s new classification, but local policyholders should still verify their Class 6 discounts with their flood insurance agents or mortgage lenders, said Andy Renshaw, the City of Gainesville’s floodplain administrator.
“Anybody that has a flood insurance policy should contact their insurance agent,” Renshaw added. “Make sure you’re getting the discount.”
Gainesville has been a part of the NFIP since 1971, as flooding is a common and costly disaster in Alachua County and across Florida. In Gainesville, flooding is historically caused by heavy rainfall. Flood insurance is sold through private companies and is financially backed by the federal government. For more information about purchasing flood insurance, visit the Gainesville NFIP webpage.
To learn more about your flood risk and what to do in the event of flooding, you can access resources on the Gainesville Floodplain Management webpage or see the official Gainesville flood zone map.