Mayor Rawlings-Blake joined representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to accept an award on behalf of the City of Baltimore for its outstanding achievements in reducing flood risks.

Baltimore City has received a Class Five honor under FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program's Community Rating System (CRS). The designation recognizes the work of Baltimore communities in partnership with city government in mitigating risk and increasing preparedness for flood hazards well beyond the minimum standards of the National Flood Insurance Program.

Baltimore is now one of the few cities with a Class Five designation and one of the only cities on the east coast, reflecting recognized excellence in its approach to public information, mapping and regulations, flood damage reduction, and flood preparedness.

The city’s entirely voluntary participation in this program means that people and property are not only better protected against flood risk, but that thousands of Baltimore City residents and business within the City’s 100 year floodplain (Special Flood Hazard Area) will receive a 25 percent reduction in annual flood insurance premiums going forward, while all other policyholders will receive a 10 percent discount on their premiums.