The National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) was implemented in 1990 as a program for recognizing and encouraging community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP standards. The National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 codified the Community Rating System in the NFIP.

Under the CRS, flood insurance premium rates are adjusted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from community activities that meet the three goals of the CRS:

(1) reduce flood losses;
(2) facilitate accurate insurance rating; and
(3) promote the awareness of flood insurance.

Several communities in West Virginia are actively pursuing entry into the CRS program. The city of Philippi in Barbour County is the first community to join, consequently residents and businesses in Philippi enjoy a 10% discount on their flood insurance premiums.

Learn more about the community rating system at the FEMA Web site.