A decrease in the village’s rating by the Federal Emergency Management Agency means residents will be eligible for lower flood insurance premiums this year, village officials say.
Under the 2-year-old community rating system, FEMA offers some residents-those who live in municipalities where flood management and prevention exceeds federal requirements-reductions in the cost of National Flood Insurance Program premiums.
Although Willowbrook was previously rated Class 9, officials applied for recertification in December and were rewarded last month with a lower rating of Class 8, said John Fay, director of community development.
The Class 8 rating means residents are eligible for a 10 percent reduction on new or renewed flood insurance premiums between Oct. 1, 1993, and Sept. 30, 1994. Under the Class 9 rating, residents were eligible for a premium reduction of only 5 percent.