FEMA grants the Village additional time to address floodplain compliance
The Village of Estero was notified July 19 that FEMA will maintain Estero’s Community Rating System (CRS) rating of 6 until at least April 1, 2025.
This means residents with policies issued under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) will maintain the discount rate of 20% on their insurance premiums for the time being.
FEMA has acknowledged that the hard work done by the Village has resulted in some improvements to meet minimum floodplain management standards but has requested that further information be provided by November 18, 2024, to address what they have identified as deficiencies.
The Village joined the NFIP following incorporation in 2015, and in 2017, received a CRS rating of 6. Since that time, the Village has taken an aggressive approach to mitigate impacts from flooding and initiated a land purchase program intended to reduce future risks.
$41 million of local funds have been spent on several land purchases to protect the property and safety of Estero residents.
Those land purchases include: Estero on the River, River Oaks Preserve and a 72-acre parcel on Three Oaks Parkway. In addition, the Village acquired two railroad drainage easements from Seminole Gulf Railroad to reduce flooding in the Special Flood Hazard Area.
The Village’s proactive floodplain management plan also includes an initiative to convert areas with septic tanks and package wastewater treatment plants to central municipal sewer systems. This initiative will mitigate future damage to residents’ health and safety caused by the flooding of septic tanks
The Village website provides more information on Estero’s NFIP efforts and the Village’s FEMA narrative here.