Leon County Earns Record Savings on Flood Insurance for Residents

Leon County has achieved a Class 5 rating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS), offering property owners in unincorporated areas a 25% discount on flood insurance premiums. In close coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the rating will result in automatic premium savings for 1,350 NFIP flood insurance policies, totaling $328,800 in annual community savings, the highest ever since the County began participating in the program in 2015. Leon County’s rating makes it one of the highest performing among like-sized counties and within the top 25% of participating communities in the state of Florida. Since 2015, Leon County residents have received a cumulative savings of approximately $1 million.

As part of the CRS verification process, Leon County was also recognized for its ongoing efforts to enhance public safety, reduce property and infrastructure damage, and strengthen environmental safeguards.

“Leon County is committed to empowering our community to save money and enhance their resilience in the face of disasters,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Brian Welch. “Flood insurance is a critical safeguard for homeowners, and we are grateful for this ongoing partnership with FEMA to help bring savings to residents.”

Flood insurance protects against financial losses and helps residents recover faster after a flood. At a time when home insurance premiums are increasing across the country, Leon County worked closely with FEMA to maintain the CRS Class 5 rating to bring savings to the community. In unincorporated Leon County, flood insurance premium totals often exceed $986,400 annually.

Leon County has retained its CRS Class 5 rating since 2022 as a direct result of flood mitigation activities that help protect lives and reduce property damage. During the most recent CRS verification process, FEMA commended the County’s comprehensive emergency management procedures and policies, the extensive training of the County’s Development Support and Environmental Management (DSEM) staff, and the County’s steadfast dedication to protecting floodplains.

“For many years, Leon County has continued to prioritize initiatives that improve public safety, build a more resilient community, and protect our environment,” said County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “This important work not only continues to make us safer and more resilient but has also provided significant financial relief to insured residents.”

Leon County has actively participated in FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) since 1982. Throughout this time, the County has prioritized responsible development within flood hazard areas, leading to reduced flood damage and lower costs for local businesses, residents, and the entire community.

For more information about Leon County’s flood protection programs, visit LeonCountyFL.gov/FloodProtection.

To learn about NFIP flood insurance policies, visit FloodSmart.gov. Specific questions regarding flood insurance policies and premiums to be paid should be directed to the property owner’s insurance agency.

For more information, contact Mathieu Cavell, Leon County Community and Media Relations, at (850) 606-5300 / CMR@LeonCountyFL.gov.

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