The City of Watseka is eligible to join a FEMA-supported Community Rating System (CRS). Now, the city just has to follow through with the application process to provide those citizens required to carry flood insurance an opportunity to save money on their annual premiums.

Mayor John Allhands says the City Council has been pro-active on programs like this, taking mitigation steps to stay ahead of the curve. This CRS program, he said, is similar to ISO fire ratings that provide reduced insurance costs when ratings are lowered. Allhands credits alder-woman Mona Ullfers for most of the legwork over several years of looking into the benefits of meeting FEMA requirements to gain eligibility. And Watseka Building Inspector Eric Brandt said the city has been doing a list of things over the years to meet those requirements. He said a river bank clean-up (at a cost of $11,500) is the final step to create the opportunity for citizens to save money on their annual flood insurance premiums. CRS gives discounts to residents who remain in flood plains and are required to have flood insurance.

Marilyn Sucoe manages the Floodplain Management, Local Assistance & Flood Insurace program. She says Watseka’s successful application into the CRS would bring an annual savings of $21,686 for Full policy-holders. 
Sucoe said there is no guarantee what rating Watseka would achieve, but the always-improving effort shows the community is pro-active. Mayor Allhands can only add that mitigation efforts are always in the best interests of the local citizens.

94.1 WGFA