James Island residents to see larger flood insurance discounts
Stronger floodplain policies, tougher development standards credited for improved community rating
Residents in the Town of James Island will receive a 25% discount on their flood insurance policies starting in October 2025, thanks to steps the Town has taken to strengthen its floodplain management program.
The Town’s move from a Class 6 to Class 5 designation in FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS) means an additional 5% savings for policyholders, raising the discount from 20% to 25%. James Island is now ranked among the top 15% of participating communities nationwide.
“By strengthening our flooding program and adopting stricter development requirements, we’ve been able to help our residents cut their flood insurance bills by 25%,” Mayor Brook Lyon said. “And that’s a real win for both safety and savings.”
The Town's improved 2025 CRS rating was largely due to the adoption of stronger building standards in low-lying areas, requiring construction to better withstand severe storm surges. Town officials believe that recent land conservation efforts, supported by Charleston County’s Greenbelt program, could help secure even larger insurance discounts for residents in the future.
FEMA’s Community Rating System is a voluntary program that rewards local governments for going beyond minimum federal floodplain management standards. More than 1,500 communities across the nation participate.
For more information on the CRS Program and floodplain management, visit FEMA's CRS Program.
And to stay connected with Town news and events, please follow the Town of James Island on Facebook and the web.
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