Since 1968 the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has administered the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which offers federally backed insurance money to communities that agree to adopt and enforce minimum standards for flood plain management to reduce future flood damage. In 1991, the NFIP implemented the Community Rating System (CRS) for encouraging and recognizing community flood plain management activities that "exceed" these minimum NFIP standards. Today more than 900 communities across the nation participate in CRS, including Palm Beach County and several of its municipalities. Plam Beach County joined the CRS in the Fall of 1991
As an incentive and reward for participation, the flood insurance rates of residents in CRS communities may be reduced by up to 45% to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from activities that meet CRS's three goals: reducing flood losses, facilitating accurate insurance ratings, and promoting the awareness of flood insurance.
Communities can earn points in as many as 18 different creditable activity areas grouped into four areas of emphasis: promoting public awareness, reduction of flood damage, improved mapping and regulations; and enhanced flood preparedness. Based on the number of points earned, each CRS community is ranked in one of ten classes (with Class 1 requiring the most points). In turn, a community's class rating determines the amount of flood premium reduction its residents are eligible to receive. Communities are encouraged to improve their class ratings. Property owners residing within a Special Flood Hazard Area, an area subject to the one percent chance a year, may qualify for anywhere between 5% and 45% discount. Property owners outside the Special Flood Hazard Area qualify for a standard discount of 5%.
More detailed information on the
CRS program [External Link], how points are awarded and how premium discounts are calculated.
Does your Community Participate in CRS?
At this writing, 26 of the 37 municipalities and unincorporated Palm Beach County participate in the CRS. Two additional communities (Palm Beach Gardens and Wellington) have applied to join. The chart below lists participating communities, their current class rating, and the percentage NFIP premium discounts residents living in the Special Flood Hazard Area receive.
Participating CRS Communities
| Community # |
Community Name |
CRS Class Rating |
% Premium Discount |
| 120192 |
Unincorporated PB County |
7 |
15 |
| 120193 |
City of Atlantis |
8 |
10 |
| 120195 |
City of Boca Raton |
8 |
10 |
| 120196 |
City of Boynton Beach |
8 |
10 |
| 120198 |
Town of Cloud Lake |
8 |
10 |
| 125102 |
City of Delray Beach |
9 |
5 |
| 120200 |
Town of Glen Ridge |
8 |
10 |
| 125109 |
Town of Gulf Stream |
8 |
10 |
| 120207 |
Town of Highland Beach |
9 |
5 |
| 120207 |
Town of Hypoluxo |
8 |
10 |
| 120208 |
Town of Juno Beach |
5 |
25 |
| 125119 |
Town of Jupiter |
7 |
15 |
| 120162 |
Town of Jupiter Island |
8 |
10 |
| 120211 |
Town of Lake Clarke Shores |
9 |
5 |
| 120212 |
Town of Lake Park |
9 |
5 |
| 120213 |
Town of Lake Worth |
9 |
5 |
| 120214 |
Town of Lantana |
9 |
5 |
| 120215 |
Town of Manalapan |
9 |
5 |
| 120216 |
Town of Mangonia Park |
9 |
5 |
| 120217 |
Village of North Palm Beach |
8 |
10 |
| 125134 |
Town of Ocean Ridge |
8 |
10 |
| 125137 |
Town of Palm Beach Shores |
9 |
5 |
| 120222 |
Town of Palm Beach |
7 |
15 |
| 120221 |
City of Palm Beach Gardens |
9 |
5 |
| 120223 |
Village of Palm Springs |
8 |
10 |
| 120227 |
Town of South Palm Beach |
9 |
5 |
| 120228 |
Village of Tequesta |
7 |
15 |
| 125157 |
Village of Wellington |
9 |
5 |
| 120229 |
City of West Palm Beach |
7 |
15 |
Divisions
