St. Augustine residents will see lower flood insurance premiums following an update from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The city’s Community Rating System (CRS) classification under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has been raised from Class 5 to Class 4. This change provides a 30 percent discount on most NFIP flood insurance policies issued or renewed after April 1, 2026, an increase from the previous 25 percent discount.
As per the City of St. Augustine's release, at a City Commission meeting on Monday, Floodplain Administrator and Building Official Richard "Buddy" Schauland reported the city’s score improvement of nearly 200 points, noting FEMA’s acceptance of studies conducted under the Watershed Master Plan. St. Augustine is now among 25 of approximately 1,800 CRS communities nationwide to hold a Class 4 or higher rating.
The higher rating reflects the city’s flood mitigation and management efforts, including outreach programs, drainage maintenance, open space preservation, and flood protection services. FEMA’s notification letter acknowledged these measures as contributing to public safety and reduced property damage.
The CRS rating is reviewed every three years, with annual renewals required to maintain Class 4 status. The city has posted the final verification field report on its official website.
