Property owners in St. Cloud will be eligible for discounts of up to 25 percent on flood insurance premiums, thanks to an improved rating the City has received from the National Flood Insurance Program. The savings will go into effect as of Oct. 1.

Leigh Anne Tomaino, the city’s floodplain manager, said St. Cloud’s rating has increased to a Class 5, up from a Class 7. In communities that participate in the Community Rating System (CRS) program, flood insurance premiums are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community’s floodplain management efforts. Less than 20 percent of Florida CRS communities hold a Class 5 rating or better.

In incorporated St. Cloud, the improved rating is expected to save policy holders more than $82,000 per year on flood insurance premiums.

“When I hired Leigh Anne to be the floodplain manager, I tasked her with improving our rating from a 7 to a 6; she did better than that, and we are very pleased to be able to achieve this for the benefit of our citizens,” said Bob Deatherage, the city’s building director.

To learn more about your flood risk, visit www.StCloudFL.gov/flood. City residents also can call Tomaino directly at 407-957-7275.