By Mai Ling Slaughter, The Chronicle, 9/30/99
Centralia residents living in a flood plain can expect to see a 15 percent reduction in their flood insurance costs because of efforts put forth by the city's Community Development Department.
The city began participating in the National Flood Insurance Community Rating System in 1994, and its efforts raised the city's insurance classification by two classes this year.
"It rewards communities for efforts to reduce flood damage to the community," said Community Development Director Terry Calkins of the rating system.
Each company that issues flood insurance bases its premiums on standards set by the National Flood Insurance system.
The Community Rating System requires the city to take mandatory preventative measures, and provides the community points for elective measures.
Since 1998, the Community Development department has elevated nearly 100 homes, and has taken other flood-loss reduction measures.
The city was able to elevate the homes with the help of two hazard mitigation grants through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
"The opportunity to apply for those grants comes up when there is a presidential disaster declared," Calkins said.
The city also obtained a grant for elevating homes from a state housing agency.
So far, 96 homes have been raised with the $3.1 million received.
But a minimum of 105 must be raised by April 2000.
Calkins said he expects the remaining homes to be raised by the end of 1999.
"Barring another disaster this year," Calkins said, "we won't have any money for home elevation available for 2000."
For residents in the flood plain whose homes are not elevated, the Community Development staff also encouraged them to consider elevating their homes or taking other flood-loss protection measures, including obtaining full-coverage flood insurance.
Employees also cooperate with City Engineer Jan Stemtkoski in inspecting the rivers, drainage systems and bridges annually, especially to assess damage after a flood.
Mai Ling Slaughter covers municipal government for The Chronicle. She can by e-mail at news@chronline.com or by telephoning 807-8237.
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