PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – Residents of Calvert County who live in designated floodplains can receive a reduction in their flood insurance premiums thanks to mitigation efforts made by the Calvert County Department of Community Planning and Building. 

This premium reduction became available after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recognized Calvert County for exceeding floodplain management measures encouraged by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).


FEMA oversees the NFIP, which administers a program called the Community Rating System (CRS). The CRS is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes community floodplain management activities that exceed minimum NFIP requirements. As a member of the CRS, Calvert County is within an elite group of 13 Maryland communities that received this recognition. 

Calvert County entered the CRS program at a level that allows for a 10 percent reduction in flood insurance premiums. This translates to an average $138 in savings on annual premiums for eligible NFIP policy holders and accounts for a total savings of $37,000 annually for Calvert County citizens.


“Participating in FEMA’s CRS program heightens the county’s commitment to educate residents, elected officials and professionals in the real estate industry on the hazards of, and safety measures for, owning a home in the floodplain,” explained Community Planning and Building Director Mark Willis.


Under the CRS, local officials are asked to meet three goals: (1) reduce flood losses; (2) facilitate accurate insurance rating; and (3) promote the awareness of flood insurance. Communities can earn a CRS rating by submitting an application explaining the projects they have in place or in development. As part of the recertification process, the annual report on the progress of the Calvert County Flood Mitigation Plan is presented to the county commissioners and made available to residents. The document is available for the public at www.co.cal.md.us/FloodMitigationPlan2016


For information about flood insurance, property owners should contact their insurance agent, visit floodsmart.gov, or call the NFIP’s toll-free information line at 800-427-4661.

To learn if you live in a designated floodplain in Calvert County, visit www.co.cal.md.us/floodmap. To learn more about the CRS, visit floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/crs/community_rating_system.jsp.