City of Wilkes-Barre Retains the Best National Flood Insurance Program Floodplain Management Rating in the State

Mayor Tony George has received an official letter from The Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with notification that the City of Wilkes-Barre will retain its current rating as a Community Rating Service (C.R.S.) Class 6 community in the National Flood Insurance Program (N.F.I.P.).

The City of Wilkes-Barre’s Class 6 rating continues to be the best rating in the State, with 34 C.R.S. communities participating.  A five-year verification cycle application was submitted to F.E.M.A. with effective floodplain management documentation depicting the implementation of flood mitigation activities as a joint effort from the Office of the Mayor & Administration; the Department of Operations; Department of Planning & Zoning; Department of Public Works; Fire Department, Police Department, and the Luzerne County Hazard Mitigation Planners.

The floodplain management activities implemented by the City of Wilkes-Barre will continue to qualify flood insurance policy holders in the city for a 20% discount in the premium costs for NFIP policies issued or renewed in Special Flood Hazard Areas and a 10% discount in the premium costs for NFIP policies issued or renewed in Zone X areas protected by the levees.  The premium savings incurred are tangible result of the flood mitigation activities, taken by the city, to protect lives and reduce property damage.  The City of Wilkes-Barre has maintained a C.R.S. Class 6 rating since 2013.