Pinellas County, along Florida’s Gulf Coast, has recently achieved a significant milestone in mitigating flood risks and protecting its residents’ properties. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has awarded the County an improved rating, signaling a commendable stride in bolstering its resilience against natural calamities.
Jones Edmunds has supported the County’s CRS program under continuing services contracts since 2014. Our experience integrating GIS with water resources engineering and planning and our relationships with other municipalities’ floodplain managers, FEMA’s CRS coordinators, and technical reviewers have enabled us to provide exceptional service to Pinellas County to improve its overall Floodplain Management Program. With our help over the years, Pinellas County’s CRS rating has continually improved, ultimately jumping from a Class 7 in 2014 to a Class 2 in 2024. In addition to improving the overall floodplain management program at the County, a Class 2 CRS rating provides up to a 40% discount in flood insurance premiums for property owners and residents within unincorporated Pinellas County. This translates to over $10 million in annual savings.
Jones Edmunds has proudly served Pinellas County for the past ten years, assisting them with all aspects of the CRS program, including coordinating the efforts of the County’s Watershed Management, GIS, Communications, Building Services, Environmental, and Emergency Management. Examples of how we helped the County towards this tremendous achievement include:
- Developing GIS data to support CRS.
- Analyzing open space preservation areas within the County.
- Evaluating the County’s ordinances for CRS.
- Developing the County’s Program for Public Information.
- Developing the County’s Flood Warning and Response Plan.
- Assisting the County with the development of a Flood Insurance Improvement Plan.
- Reviewing and submitting documentation to the Insurance Services Office and coordinating requests for additional information.
Pinellas County is now one of only 11 communities with a class 2 or higher ranking.
“It was a privilege to work with the amazing and talented staff at Pinellas County to make such a great impact on the community,” said Chief Engineer Khan Boupha
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