FEMA places 30-day pause on flood insurance discount rollback decision | News, Sports, Jobs – FORT MYERS

FEMA has placed a 30-day pause on its decision to eliminate the 25% discount on National Flood Insurance Program policies currently awarded in unincorporated Lee County and four of its municipalities, including Cape Coral and Fort Myers Beach.

The “retrograding” of FEMA’s Community Rating System class from a five to a 10, thereby removing benefits residents receive for the National Flood Insurance Program policies, will be revisited as the federal agency works with the affected local governments, FEMA announced today.

“We are committed to helping communities take appropriate remediation actions to participate in the Community Rating System and remain in good standing with the National Flood Insurance Program,” FEMA said in a release.

Back in December, FEMA requested documentation for permits on 105 sites in the Town of Fort Myers Beach. A request for the town’s response was not provided by the town immediately. Town of Fort Myers Beach Manager Andy Hyatt acknowledged receiving the 30-day extension. Hyatt declined to comment on the notice.

The Town of Fort Myers Beach, along with the four other communities will have an additional 30 days to gather requested documentation to help retain their standing in the Community Rating System. The city of Sanibel and Fort Myers were not effected by FEMA’s decision and did not have their ratings downgraded.