Miami – Lola Edge lives in unincorporated Miami-Dade and in a flood zone.
“The house isn’t paid for, you should have it Flood insurance,” she told CBS News Miami.
Edge, 73, has lived in her northwest Miami-Dade home for more than a quarter-century. She receives a certain income, and in the last few years, her policy has increased.
“This is where I am now — $503 a year in flood insurance,” Edge said, sitting in front of her house.
According to Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, that could change in less than three months: “Miami-Dade homeowners and business owners will receive a 35% discount on their flood insurance premiums.”
It’s all thanks to a fully operational pumping station in Northwest Miami-Dade, which will now pump water into flooded areas of unincorporated Miami-Dade. According to the Ministry of Public Works, the cost is $21 million.
“75% of the cost was collected by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).Kava said.
As a result, the county received the new deduction after proving to FEMA that it had done a lot in recent years to save lives. Addressing flood riskssuch as new development rules that take flooding into account and better risk mapping across the county.
“These types of upgrades are essential to ensure our communities can manage stormwater and coastal waters, especially with the increase we are seeing as a result of climate change,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.
Miami Dade now One of only 19 communities across the country and which have been upgraded in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) community rating system. The county is now a Tier 3, and was a Tier 5, which is a huge improvement.
Based on Edge’s policy, its deductible should be around $175 per year
“I can take this money and put it into something else,” said the now optimistic Edge, who was struggling to pay bills.
According to Miami-Dade County and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), up to 100,000 residents will receive a 35% discount on their flood insurance starting April 1.