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St. Augustine earns CRS Class 4, homeowners to get larger NFIP discount
Summary
City staff announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has upgraded St. Augustine to Class 4 in the Community Rating System, increasing the National Flood Insurance Program discount for policies issued or renewed on or after April 1, 2026.
The St. Augustine City Commission heard a briefing Aug. 25 from the city's building official that FEMA has accepted the city's watershed master plan and upgraded the city's Community Rating System (CRS) classification to Class 4. The change will increase the flood-insurance premium discount for most National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies to 30 percent for policies issued or renewed on or after April 1, 2026.
The upgrade followed a three-year verification visit and documentation submitted by city staff, the building official said. City staff credited much of the work to the city's floodplain coordinator, Ray Deshler, and the city plans to maintain required activities and pursue additional points toward a future Class 3 rating.
The change affects communities that participate in the NFIP and subscribe to the CRS — a voluntary incentive program administered by FEMA that rewards communities for floodplain management activities by reducing flood insurance premiums. City staff said St. Augustine will be one of roughly 25 U.S. communities at Class 4 or higher out of nearly 1,800 CRS-participating jurisdictions nationally.
The building official said the city will continue annual reporting to sustain the rating and pursue further improvements over the next three years to try to reach Class 3. Commissioners praised staff work and encouraged outreach to residents to confirm which properties require flood insurance and to promote voluntary coverage for those who are not mortgage‑required to carry it.
Commissioners asked about the duration of the rating and next steps; staff said the documentation must be maintained annually and the city has about three years to pursue the additional measures required for Class 3. Staff also noted that some properties are outside lender-mandated flood-insurance zones; the city encouraged homeowners to check their status and consider purchasing coverage regardless of mortgage requirements.
