T’bonne insurance rates to be discounted

Officials with the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government announced Monday that the parish has earned a rating of six on the Federal Emergency Management Agency National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System. The new rating is an improved measure from the previous parish grade of seven.

“This announcement is the result of a tremendous amount of hard work by our Planning and Zoning Department,” Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet said. “Because of their efforts, our residents will benefit from a welcomed decrease in their flood insurance premiums.”

The NFIP-CRS is a voluntary incentive program that is recognized by insurance companies and encourages floodplain management activities that exceed minimum NFIP requirements.

The improved ranking means that parish residents could experience up to a 20 percent reduction in flood insurance premiums. A reduction in flood risk numbers is the reward for communities that promote cost benefits based on a reduction of flood losses, provide accurate insurance ratings and boost awareness for the need of flood insurance.

Only three Louisiana parishes (Terrebonne, East Baton Rouge and Jefferson) have received such a low rating.