FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City of Central Provides Clarification on Flood Insurance Premium Increases
Central, LA — The City of Central is addressing ongoing concerns from residents regarding rising flood insurance premiums and the expected benefits associated with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS).
In recent years, the City has made significant, measurable progress in strengthening floodplain management, improving infrastructure planning, and promoting responsible development. These efforts resulted in Central earning a CRS Class 5 rating, a strong designation from FEMA intended to reflect reduced flood risk and provide corresponding insurance premium discounts.
Based on FEMA’s guidance and national communications, communities were led to understand that improved CRS ratings would translate into meaningful cost savings for residents.
However, with FEMA’s implementation of Risk Rating 2.0, the timing and visibility of those savings have not aligned with those expectations.
Under the current system, many properties are undergoing gradual premium increases as they move toward full actuarial rates. During this transition, those increases are, in many cases, outpacing or masking the discounts associated with CRS classifications. As a result, residents are not consistently seeing the immediate financial relief that was anticipated.
“We are proud of the work that has been done to achieve our CRS rating—it reflects real progress in reducing flood risk in our community,” said Mayor Wade Evans. “At the same time, we share our residents’ frustration. The way these changes have been communicated at the federal level has not fully matched what people are experiencing in their insurance bills.”
The City of Central relied on FEMA’s published materials and guidance when communicating with the public. The current disconnect highlights the need for clearer, more precise communication regarding how CRS benefits are applied under Risk Rating 2.0.
Residents should understand:
- The City’s CRS Class 5 rating remains a significant achievement and does reduce premiums relative to what they would otherwise be.
- Current premium increases are driven by FEMA’s transition to a new, property-specific rating model.
- The full benefit of CRS classifications may not be immediately apparent during this transition period.
“We remain committed to advocating for our residents,” Evans added. “That includes continuing to work with FEMA and our federal partners to ensure that communities receive clear, accurate information and that the intent of these programs is fully realized.”
The City will continue its efforts to reduce flood risk locally while seeking greater transparency and alignment from federal agencies responsible for program implementation.
Media Contact:
City of Central Mayor’s Office
225-413-6473