Community Rating System
About
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) was implemented in 1994 as a voluntary program for recognizing and encouraging community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP standards. Any community in full compliance with the minimum NFIP floodplain management requirements may apply to join the CRS. The CRS is administered by the Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO), as well as the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) at the state-level.
Under the CRS, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reward community actions that meet the three goals of the CRS, which are: (1) reduce flood damage to insurable property, (2) strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the NFIP, and (3) encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management. Discounts can range from 5%-45%, depending on the community’s floodplain management. (See point system in table to the right.)
For resources related to the CRS, see our Flooding Resources page.
CRS Communities in the SPC Region
CRS Communities in Pennsylvania
There are 35 CRS communities in Pennsylvania, as of October 1, 2018. Some examples are listed below:
- Town of Bloomsburg (Class 8)
- Borough of Danville (Class 8)
- Borough of Jersey Shore (Class 8)
- Borough of Lewisburg (Class 8)
- Township of Lower Makefield (Class 7)
- Borough of Selinsgrove (Class 7)
- City of Wilkes-Barre (Class 6)
How to Apply
Pre-requisites to Apply:
- Full compliance with NFIP requirements – enforcing local ordinance
- Be in the regular phase (versus emergency phase) of NFIP for at least 1 year
- Agree to maintain FEMA Elevation Certificates for all structures in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)
- Address FEMA-identified repetitive loss properties
- Maintain flood insurance coverage for community-owned properties in the floodplain
Preparing for CRS Application:
- Floodplain Management Ordinance Review Checklist
- Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) – by county
- CRS Quick Check
- Review Repetitive Loss Property List for community – contact FEMA/PEMA for information
- Require Elevation Certificates for all new as-built construction in the floodplain
- Training for local enforcement of floodplain management (recommended, not required)
- L273/E0273: Managing Floodplain Development Through the NFIP
- Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) certificate
Steps for Application:
- Inform FEMA Regional Office (see Key Contacts) of your community’s interest in applying to the CRS with a letter of intent.
- FEMA or PEMA will verify that your community is complying with the NFIP by performing a Community Assistance Visit (CAV)
- Assures your community is complying with your local floodplain ordinance – documentation review, tour of floodplain
- Submit application, along with documentation of activities to receive credit for, to the Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO)
- Once approved by FEMA, an ISO representative will visit your community to review your application and activities.
- FEMA will establish credit and notify you (the community), the state, insurance companies and other parties.
- To remain in the CRS, your community must verify credited activities by submitting a recertification annually. New credit can be earned with new floodplain management activities, therefore reducing the flood insurance premiums for your residents.
How to Earn Points
| Series 300 Public information | Series 400 Mapping and Regulation | Series 500 Flood Damage Reduction | Series 600 Warning and Response |
| Elevation Certificates Map Information Services Outreach Projects Hazard Disclosure Flood Protection Information Flood Protection Assistance Flood Insurance Promotion | Floodplain Mapping Open Space Preservation Higher Regulatory Standards Flood Data Maintenance Stormwater Management | Floodplain Management Planning Acquisition and Relocation Flood Protection Drainage System Maintenance | Flood Warning Program Levee Safety Dam Safety |
See Master List of Creditable CRS Activities and Elements for more information. Our resource guide ” Developing a Community Engagement Program for Flood Resiliency ” has more guidance for a public outreach program, which can gain your community points under the CRS.
Key Contacts
| I Need Help With… | Contact | Organization | Information |
| CRS Application | Amanda Gowans | Insurance Service Organization (ISO) PA CRS Coordinator | agowans@iso.com (443) 743-7993 |
| Community Assisted Visit (CAV) | Richard Sobota | FEMA Region III Senior Insurance Specialist | Richard.sobota@fema.dhs.gov (215) 931-5541 |
| CAV, NFIP requirements | Thomas Hughes | PEMA Hazard Mitigation Officer / NFIP Coordinator | thughes@pa.gov (717)651-2726 |
| CRS Resources | Eric Stahley | CRS Users Group | estahley@columbiapa.org |
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