Stormwater Receives Recognition, Saves Residents Money

Carl Thomas and Butch Oliver hold the award from the National Flood Insurance Program for their department’s Community Rating System achievements. Pictured are members of the Stormwater Management Department, (l. to r.) Don Pace, Barbara Powell, Elsie Santiago, Michael Hill, Carl Thomas, Tommy Dobson, Butch Oliver, Annie Huff, Nick Griffiths, and Connie Parker.

Due to the conscientious efforts of the Henry County Stormwater Department, in not only meeting but exceeding requirements in areas of floodplain and stormwater management, Henry County homeowners can now benefit from an insurance savings of ten percent off the premium of their flood insurance.

Carl B. Thomas, Sr., Field Operations Manager for the Stormwater Management Department began the process to not only meet, but beat standards set by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) earlier this year. He, along with other staff in the Stormwater Management Department, have worked since February to demonstrate the Department’s diligence in satisfying and exceeding requirements in several areas, including updating ordinances, enforcing higher regulatory standards in building codes, enforcing regulations for stormwater management, performing flood data maintenance and utilizing outreach and education to teach homeowners every aspect of floodplain management and how it affects them.

The discount comes after the Henry County Stormwater Department submitted an application to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System outlining its strategies and diligence in exceeding the standards set by the NFIP. Both the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have verified that the voluntary actions taken by the Henry County Stormwater Department meet the criteria for a Class 8 rating, down two points from the default rating of 10, thus earning the discount. The best rating is one, and Thomas said the Stormwater Management Department will continue to work toward a better rating. 

“Carl and his staff have done great work and an excellent job working with homeowners to help them understand the floodplain and how it relates to their homes and properties,” said Butch Oliver, Director of Henry County’s Stormwater Management Department.

Thomas said that he and other staff members are working to continually earn a better score, in order to save taxpayers more money on their insurance premiums.  The NFIP will reevaluate Henry County’s Floodplain Management on a three or five year basis and reassess its scores. With continued diligence, it is expected that homeowners will see an even greater savings on their flood insurance premiums in the future.

For more information on the Henry County Stormwater Management Program, visit www.henrycounty-ga.org/stormwater.

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