If you have a Federal Emergency Management Agency flood insurance policy, chances are you are going to receive an alarming letter threatening a significant rate hike.
FEMA previously threatened to take away community flood ratings from Lee County, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Estero and Fort Myers Beach for not building back properly after Hurricane Ian.
The flood ratings allow property owners to qualify for flood insurance discounts of up to 25%.
However, the communities are warning that FEMA plans to send out letters to policy holders that warn communities could be at risk of losing their rating if the communities are placed on probation.
Lee County Manager Dave Harner announced Tuesday that the letter will detail the potential of Lee County and other communities being placed on probation.
“That doesn't mean we're going on probation. It's just a process that FEMA has to follow,” Harner stressed.
He warned the letter to FEMA policy owners could be alarming to some people warning it will state a few concerning items including the potential of a community losing its flood rating.
“We hope to retain that hopefully through November,” Harner said.
However, losing the rating would mean an increase of up to 25% for policyholders.
When asked specifically whether the county would maintain its rating past November, Harner appeared optimistic.
“Right now, we're good to November. We believe we will be fine and stay within the program and keep our CRS rating,” Harner responed.
NBC-2 reached out to FEMA to see if it could guarantee the continued discount and they did not respond at the time this article was published.
Residents like Joyce Campana have said it is very important for the county to get it right in order to keep rates from rising not doing so would mean rate increases for thousands of people.
“Even if, worst-case scenario, the CRS rating would stay all the way until April, if they decided to put us on probation, but I believe we're good, and we'll be able to keep that rating,” Harner said.
FEMA is requiring communities to put together a plan to lessen the impacts of any future flooding and require homeowners to harden their properties.
“It's about enhancing communication and making sure all of our i's are dotted, and our t's are crossed,” Harner stated.
The county hopes to send out its own letter later this week warning property owners ahead of the FEMA letter, which is expected to go out a week later.