ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MO – Nearly 1,200 St. Charles County property owners will receive an additional 5-percent discount on their flood insurance premiums, thanks to the county government’s floodplain management and awareness efforts. The added discount, which was announced for property owners insured through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), will take effect Oct. 1.

“The average annual cost for NFIP flood insurance in St. Charles County was $1,142 in 2022. Although the cost is increasing over time, discounts earned by the County are now saving property owners 20% of what they would have been paying,” says Robert Myers, County Planning and Zoning Director.

To achieve the lowest possible cost for NFIP participants, St. Charles County takes steps to reduce flood damage by using federal funds to purchase flood-prone properties and return them to a natural state; adopting a countywide flood emergency response plan; and placing requirements on new development to reduce flood damage.

“We make sure any new construction in the floodplain is at least 1 foot above the base flood elevation,” explains County Floodplain Manager Mark Price. “We also have that requirement to rebuild any structure substantially damaged in a flood, and the County’s stormwater retention ordinances reduce the frequency of rain-based flash flooding.”

The National Flood Insurance Program recognizes these additional efforts through a rating system that is directly connected to discounted insurance rates. St. Charles County earned an upgraded rating this year, increasing insurance discounts from 15% to 20%. Only one community in Missouri has a better rating than St. Charles County.

The exact savings for each property owner will depend on their local flood risk, type of construction, and contents covered at their property, Price says.

For its floodplain management efforts, St. Charles County received special recognition at the 2023 Missouri Floodplain and Stormwater Managers Conference last week.