The city of North Bend recently received notification from the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency that the city will improve from a Class 6 to a Class 5 in the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System.

The new classification was the result of a concerted effort on behalf of city staff to implement more robust floodplain management practices which also qualified the city for a 25 percent discount in the premium cost of flood insurance for many residents with NFIP policies issued or renewed in Special Flood Hazard Areas on or after May 1, 2017.

“I was very pleased to hear about confirmation of our increase in rating to a Class 5. This will be of tremendous benefit to our residents in certain flood prone areas of the city,” said Mayor Ken Hearing.

Hearing thanked city staff for their efforts in helping to achieve the new rating and noted the distinction speaks to the city council’s’s commitment to enhance public safety in the city and their desire to help reduce the burden of flood insurance premiums for certain residents in the area.

More information about the city’s Floodplain Management Plan, Special Flood Hazard Areas, natural and beneficial floodplain functions and important links to flood related information is available on the Flood Protection Information page on the city’s website at http://northbendwa.gov/index.aspx?NID=163.