Lower flood insurance rates for eligible Craven County property owners

CRAVEN COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - The Craven County Planning Department has announced that property owners in unincorporated areas will now receive a 15% discount on flood insurance premiums, up from the previous 10%.

The county improved its Community Rating System designation from Class 8 to Class 7, resulting in the increased discount. The county had been a designated Class 8 since 2004.

The new CRS certification was presented by Steve Garrett, the state’s National Flood Insurance Program coordinator, at the Craven County Board of Commissioners meeting on November 3rd.

The CRS is a voluntary program that rewards communities for exceeding the minimum standards of the National Flood Insurance Program.

Craven County’s improved rating is due to floodplain management, community outreach, flood mapping, and stricter building standards.

“A large portion of our county lies in the floodplain, and we are committed to ensuring best practices to protect our community from flood impacts,” Craven County Manager Jack Veit said. “I commend our planning department for its commitment to continuous improvement.”