Dorchester County earned a CRS rating that provides flood insurance savings for homeowners
February 10, 2026
Dorchester County announced that the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, has awarded the County with its first Community Rating System (CRS) rating, which was a Class 8 Rating.
The new rating will qualify homeowners for a 10 percent discount on the cost of flood insurance premiums in recognition of efforts made by Dorchester County to reduce flooding impacts. The County increased flood prevention educational awareness and maintained requirements for flood resistant construction in Special Flood Hazard Areas, to qualify for this rating. Homeowners can contact their insurance company directly to learn more about the discount and how it is applied to their premium.
“This new rating will provide valuable insurance cost savings to our residents who live in flood prone areas,” said Dorchester County Council Chairman David Chinnis. “As a first for Dorchester County, the rating also signifies our enhanced community resilience against the threat of flooding and the opportunity for additional progress in the years to come.”
The National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community actions meeting the three goals of the CRS: (1) reduce and avoid flood damage to insurable property; (2) strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the National Flood Insurance Program; and (3) foster comprehensive floodplain management. The lower the number on the CRS class rating, the higher the flood insurance premium discounts to the citizens.
To view CRS Participating Communities, visit FEMA’s website here. For additional information on the Community Rating System, visit their website here.
