Brick Improves Its Flood Insurance Program Rating

BRICK, NJ — Brick Township residents who have flood insurance coverage should more affordable premiums, after the township achieved a better ranking in the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System, officials said.

Brick is now rated a Class 5 community, meaning a 25 percent discount in flood insurance rates for township property owners.

The National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System began in 1990 as a voluntary federal program for recognizing and encouraging efforts to reduce flood damage to properties.

Under the rating system, flood insurance premiums rates are discounted based on required community actions that reduce flood damage to insurable properties, as well as those that strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the National Flood Insurance Program.

The goal is to encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain management.

Brick Township officials focused on getting the township into the community rating system after Superstorm Sandy devastated homes and properties along the township's various waterfront communities. Brick has the most waterfront property of any municipality in New Jersey, officials have said.

Brick was approved for the program in 2016 as a Class 6 community, which meant a 20 percent discount for flood insurance premiums, officials said.

"Getting Brick Township into the Community Rating System was an enormous accomplishment," Mayor John G. Ducey said. "We have many homeowners in Brick Township who have to pay flood insurance and our staff worked hard to make sure we met the requirements of the program."

"They did not stop working to find ways to improve our rating and help those homeowners save even more money on their flood insurance," Ducey said.

The township achieved the Class 5 ranking by completing a "Flood Warning and Response Plan," preserving more property as open space, and documenting the town's work to comply with floodplain regulations.

Part of the efforts included reducing the number of properties that do not comply with the regulations to address repeat losses. The town has 68 homes that do not meet the National Flood Insurance Program standards, down from 102, officials said.

"The improvement in our rating is a reflection on the dedication and knowledge of our staff, particularly our Land Use and Engineering staff," Ducey said.

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