Submitted by the County of Riverside
Through its ongoing floodplain management efforts, the Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (District) has advanced Riverside County to Class 5 in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Community Rating System (CRS). The upgraded safety rating comes as residents and public agencies prepare for the potential of a wetter winter from the effects of the El Niño weather pattern.
“This new FEMA rating demonstrates the District’s commitment to not only meeting, but exceeding, federal guidance for managing flood risk in our communities,” said Board Chair Karen Spiegel, Second District Supervisor. “The District’s efforts are being recognized by FEMA and are helping to reduce flood insurance costs for residents in our unincorporated communities”
CRS is a voluntary FEMA program that recognizes communities for floodplain management and mitigation activities that exceed the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Activities that reduce flood damage, improve flood preparedness, provide flood hazard information, protect natural floodplain functions, and promote sound floodplain management practices earn CRS credit.
Effective October 1, 2026, eligible NFIP policyholders in unincorporated Riverside County can receive up to a 25% discount on their flood insurance premiums for policies issued or renewed on or after that date. Riverside County’s promotion to CRS Class 5 is anticipated to provide residents with annual combined savings of more than $385,000, which totals more than $1.9 million over the next five years.
With the new CRS Class 5 promotion, Riverside County now ranks among the top one percent of NFIP communities nationwide.
“Achieving CRS Class 5 is especially significant as we enter an El Niño year,” said District General Manager and Chief Engineer Jason Uhley. “This can help make flood insurance more affordable for our residents in flood prone areas and we encourage our residents to consider flood insurance if they live within a FEMA mapped floodplain or have a history of flooding. Flood maps are available at https://rcflood.org/flood-insurance.”
Residents are encouraged to review their flood insurance coverage and eligibility with their flood insurance agent or insurer, as flooding is not typically covered by Standard Homeowner policies.
For more information about flood insurance and the CRS, visit: https://rcflood.org/flood-insurance.
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