ATLANTA, July 11 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security'sFederal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release:

On July 10, 2012, unincorporated Palm Beach County, Fla. was recognized at the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners meeting for its active participation in the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS).

The CRS rewards communities that voluntarily take steps to reduce flood risks beyond the minimum requirements of the NFIP. These steps, which include increasing flood protection and implementing preparedness and mitigation activities, lead to safer communities and ultimately help saves lives and property. As a result, property owners and renters in CRS-participating communities enjoy a reduction in flood insurance premiums.

Policyholders in unincorporated Palm Beach County first began receiving flood insurance discounts under the CRS program in 1991. As a result of additional steps the community has recently taken, the community moved from a CRS Class 6 to a CRS Class 5 effective October 1, 2011, earning an additional five percent savings on flood insurance.

There are more than 74,000 flood insurance policies in force in unincorporated Palm Beach County, representing more than $19 billion in flood insurance coverage. Policyholders located in the high risk areas of flooding, or Special Flood Hazard Areas, can now receive a 25 percent discount on their policy premium, which is an average savings of $112 per policy. Some policyholders in the lower risk areas are eligible for a 10 percent discount. In total, policyholders realize an annual savings of more than $4.2 million because of the community's participation in the CRS program.

CRS is a voluntary program for NFIP-participating communities. The intended goals of the program are to reduce flood losses, facilitate accurate insurance ratings and to promote the awareness of flood insurance. For more information on the NFIP's CRS program visit www.fema.gov/business/nfip/crs.shtm. For more information about the NFIP, a program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), visit www.floodsmart.gov.

TNS MJ88-120713-3949324 StaffFurigay