Just weeks after historic flooding impacted the area, the City of Boerne has received an improved federal rating for its ongoing work to manage flood risk. For residents, the designation means greater flood insurance discounts for residents.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency notified the City of Boerne that its Community Rating System classification has improved from Class 7 to Class 6. The announcement comes following the July 15 flooding that impacted homes, businesses, parks, and public infrastructure across the community.
The Community Rating System is a voluntary program under the National Flood Insurance Program that recognizes communities that go beyond minimum federal requirements for floodplain management.
For Boerne property owners with flood insurance in the Special Flood Hazard Area, generally shown as the mapped floodplain, the discount will increase from 15 percent to 20 percent. Policyholders outside the mapped floodplain will see their discount increase from 5 percent to 10 percent.
“This rating is the result of years of work to better understand our flood risk and put practices in place that help protect our community,” Engineering and Mobility Director Jeff Carroll said. “The flooding we experienced in July was another reminder of why that work matters and why we have to continue looking for ways to make Boerne more resilient.”
FEMA evaluates communities in several areas, including public information, floodplain mapping and regulations, flood damage reduction, and warning and response efforts. Communities receive points for qualifying activities, which determine a rating ranging from Class 10 to Class 1.
Boerne’s new Class 6 designation places the City among a relatively small number of Texas communities to reach that level. According to current FEMA information provided to the City, 26 of the 1,261 Texas communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program have achieved a Class 6 rating or better.
The improved rating reflects continued City efforts related to floodplain management, development and permitting oversight, mapping, public outreach, and emergency preparedness.
“The timing of this recognition is especially meaningful following what our community experienced this summer,” City Manager Ben Thatcher said. “We saw firsthand the impact flooding can have on residents, businesses and City infrastructure. While we cannot eliminate that risk, we can continue making thoughtful investments and decisions that better prepare Boerne for future events.”
The increased discounts will be applied automatically when eligible flood insurance policies are renewed after the new classification takes effect. FEMA updates Community Rating System classifications twice a year, in April and October.
The City of Boerne maintains an interactive map that allows you to see floodplain locations. Toggle on the “100 YR SARA Floodplain” and “100 YR FEMA Floodplain” from the Layer List section.
