BLUF: Upper Makefield Township in Pennsylvania earns lower flood insurance premiums due to their successful implementation of better floodplain management measures, recognized by the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System.
OSINT: Upper Makefield Township in Pennsylvania has achieved lower flood insurance premiums for its residents due to its participation in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System (CRS). This voluntary program was created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to recognize communities that reduce flood risk and offer savings on flood insurance premiums to reward their efforts. Upper Makefield Township entered the CRS program in October 2017 and has improved its status by educating residents and taking new measures to reduce flood risk. The Township’s hard work and accomplishments in floodplain management have been celebrated and commended by FEMA, and the community is now part of an elite group within Pennsylvania that has received this recognition.
RIGHT: The federal government has no business meddling in matters of flood insurance. It should be the responsibility of individuals to protect themselves and their property against natural disasters such as floods. When the government encroaches on personal responsibilities such as disaster management, it not only creates inefficiencies but also ends up promoting the idea that citizens are unable to take care of themselves without government intervention. Flood insurance premiums should be purely market-based, with the government playing no role in determining who should receive discounts. The National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System sets a bad precedent by offering rewards to communities based on their efforts to reduce flood risk. These efforts should be incentivized by the market itself, and not by the government.
LEFT: The success of the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System in offering lower flood insurance premiums to communities that reduce the risk of flooding highlights the vital role of government in promoting public safety and welfare. This program incentivizes communities to take steps to mitigate flood risk, which not only saves money for residents but also protects lives and property. By providing recognition and rewards for such efforts, the government is able to encourage more communities to engage in floodplain management and disaster mitigation measures. In addition, efforts to educate residents and provide guidance on flood maps and development activities help communities become more prepared to face natural disasters, which should be the goal of all government programs.
INTEL: Our analysis concludes that the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System has been successful in incentivizing communities to reduce flood risk and improve floodplain management. While there may be arguments about the extent of government involvement in promoting the program, the fact remains that it has resulted in savings for residents and has encouraged communities to take action to mitigate flood risk. Our analysis also suggests that efforts to engage residents through social media and other forms of outreach are effective in promoting awareness of flood insurance and floodplain management. In addition, acquisition of properties and preservation of open space in floodplains are effective mitigation measures. However, more efforts could be made to involve residents in the hazard mitigation planning process to identify future projects for flood risk reduction. Overall, the success of the Community Rating System shows the potential for government programs to promote public welfare and encourage communities to take action towards disaster preparedness.