The City of Cape Coral recently received good news from FEMA: its 25% flood insurance discount will remain effective, providing crucial relief to thousands of property owners. However, city officials are aiming even higher, targeting a 30% discount to further reduce costs for residents and businesses.
The current 25% discount benefits 50,000 structures and 70,000 parcels across Cape Coral. Michael Ilczyszyn, Cape Coral’s city manager, expressed both relief and excitement about FEMA’s decision, recognizing its importance to the community. But the city isn’t stopping there. Leaders plan to present policy recommendations to the city council at the upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting in hopes of further increasing the discount.
“If they move forward, implementing those as a policy directive across the city and in our special flood hazard area, we believe very firmly we will achieve an even greater rating,” Ilczyszyn explained.
Strengthening Flood Resilience
To achieve a higher discount, Cape Coral is focusing on several initiatives aimed at improving resilience to flooding. Proposed measures include offering resiliency grants, raising the base flood elevation for new construction, upgrading impact windows and doors, and strengthening roofs of businesses in the area. These proactive steps are designed to better protect the community against future flooding events.
Sofia Saiz, the city’s floodplain manager, emphasized Cape Coral’s commitment to flood risk reduction and community resilience. “By investing in flood risk reduction, we’re safeguarding lives and property today while preparing for future flooding events through responsible management,” she said.
Ryan Lamb, Cape Coral’s Emergency Management Resilience Director, added, “We can’t stop the rain from coming, but once that surge goes back, we can get back to business and get our community reestablished as quickly as possible.”
Statewide Leadership and Assistance
Cape Coral is also playing a leading role in helping other Florida counties stay compliant with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The city has recently assisted Pinellas, Hernando, and Taylor counties in their compliance efforts, showcasing a statewide commitment to flood resilience.
“I’m extremely proud of the team,” Saiz said. “We’re making real changes to how we manage our floodplain and ensuring that our community remains resilient, both today and in the face of future flooding.”
The city has been collaborating closely with the Florida Department of Emergency Management and FEMA to develop a new model for floodplain resilience that can be implemented across the state. Ilczyszyn highlighted how Cape Coral is using the lessons learned from past events to build a more robust system for floodplain management.
FEMA’s New Approach to Disaster Compliance
FEMA, in response to Cape Coral’s efforts and the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, is also changing how it approaches compliance with the NFIP. Moving forward, FEMA will provide post-disaster help and technical assistance rather than focusing solely on compliance, allowing for more immediate support to impacted areas.
By retaining the 25% discount for the next three years, Cape Coral residents will continue to benefit from reduced flood insurance premiums. The city also has the opportunity to pre-certify earlier in an effort to achieve a 30% discount, further easing financial burdens for the community.
Cape Coral’s proactive measures and leadership in floodplain management reflect a commitment to long-term resilience and community safety, setting a standard for other regions to follow.