After years of effort, including a citizen advisory committee in 2009, the city has entered the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System.

Starting in May 2016, flood insurance policyholders throughout the City of Redmond will receive a 25 percent discount on flood insurance premiums. The discount is based on a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) scoring of existing programs the city provides such as preservation of open space, efficiently managing stormwater runoff through watershed management and low-impact development, and enforcement of building codes.

“I’m very pleased that the high-quality services we provide our residents and land owners are protective of life and property to the extent FEMA will reduce flood insurance premiums citywide by 25 percent,” said Redmond Mayor John Marchione.

People and property adjacent to Bear Creek, Lake Sammamish and the Sammamish River could be within the flood plain and susceptible to flood damage. As such, many property owners pay an additional premium for flood insurance; flood damage is not covered by typical property insurance policies. FEMA administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System. Local governments can enter the program by demonstrating to FEMA how the local government protects property and people within its community.

Over the next few months, FEMA officials will present a plaque to the mayor and notify flood insurance companies that Redmond has entered the NFIP Community Rating System Program.

For questions and more information contact Andy Rheaume, Department of Public Works, at ajrheaume@redmond.gov or (425) 556-2741.