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Policies Related to Floods and Natural Hazards
Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
Thurston County has adopted the September, 2009 "Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan for the Thurston Region." It is a multi-jurisdictional plan that addresses the most destructive natural hazards that threaten Thurston County and its communities.
National Flood Insurance Program
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is offered through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to communities who wish to participate. Thurston County participates in the program, which means properties have the opportunity to purchase flood insurance through NFIP. It also means that Thurston County's development regulations are based on FEMA requirements. Click here for more information.
Thurston County Flood Hazard Management Plan
In reaction to the floods of 1996-1997, which cost the county
residents in excess of $22 million in uninsured property losses, the
Board of County Commissioners adopted the Thurston County Flood Hazard
Management Plan on June 1999. The Plan included 27 action items meant to
reduce future uninsured damage caused by flooding. Eighteen of the
action items have been implemented to date with the rest to be
implemented as resources become available.
Community Rating System
In 1999 the Thurston County Commissioners adopted the Thurston County Flood Hazard Management Plan. One of the 27 recommendations included in the Plan was for the County to apply for the Community Rating System. The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program within the National Flood Insurance Program.
The county applied and has been a participant in the CRS program since 2000. The county was given a rating of 5 (out of 10). A rating of 5 means citizens who live in a 100 year floodplain can receive a 25% discount on their flood insurance; outside the 100-year floodplain they receive a 10% discount. This equates to a savings ranging from $92 to $180 per policy for a total county-wide premium savings of a little over $50,953. This is a high rating among other communities. Currently out of 1,228 communities in the U.S. that participate in the CRS program only 40 are rated a 5 and only 3 rate higher. An additional 5% discount is given for each level, therefore if Thurston County qualifies for a level 4 the discount would increase to 30%.
The county received this rating because of our flood plain management program and our Critical Areas Ordinance. Together these regulatory programs reduce damage caused by flooding, which results in a reduction in insurance premiums. To maintain this rating the county goes through an annual recertification and a reverification every 3 years. This assures FEMA that we are still implementing our program and policies.
Contact Us
Interested Parties: If you would like to be added to our Web Mail list, please click here. Staff contact: Mark Swartout, Natural Resource Program Manager. Phone: (360) 709-3079. E-mail: swartom@co.thurston.wa.us.
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