CRS Program Info

The National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. The CRS program recognizes a community’s efforts to reduce flood risk, facilitates accurate insurance ratings, and promote the awareness of flood insurance. Participation in the CRS program will acknowledge Salem’s efforts that help save lives and reduce property damage in the event of a flood.

Upon approval by the Federal Emergency Managerment Agency (FEMA) as a CRS community, all flood insurance premium rates in Salem would be discounted based on the CRS rating. Flood insurance premiums are discounted in increments of 5 percent; i.e., a Class 1 community would receive a 45 percent premium discount, while a Class 9 community would receive a 5 percent discount (a Class 10 is not participating in the CRS and receives no discount). The CRS classes for local communities are based on 18 creditable activities, organized under four categories: (i) Public Information, (ii) Mapping and Regulations, (iii) Flood Damage Reduction, and (iv) Flood Preparedness.

The City of Salem is currently in the application phase of the CRS program, anticipating a minimum class 8 rating by the end of 2007. Watch this page for updates about the CRS application Status.