The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has placed Fort Myers Beach on probation from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), causing concern among residents.

“Really, really unfair. Extremely unfair. You know, we should all be treated equally,” said Fort Myers Beach resident Kevin Mahoney.

Officials stated that FEMA will also downgrade the town’s Community Rating System (CRS) classification. As a result, the discounts on NFIP premiums that allowed residents to save up to 25% have been removed.

READ: Citizens Insurance Will Require All Homeowners to Purchase Flood Insurance – Even Houses Not in Flood Zones

“For somebody who’s struggling to pay all of their bills and then they get hit with another 25%. How is that fair?” Mahoney added.

Fort Myers Beach officials are working with FEMA to regain the program’s benefits. They received notice from FEMA about the potential downgrade in March 2024 and have since been diligently submitting the required documents. The town submitted a corrective action plan before the November 18 deadline.

“I am disappointed that FEMA has made the decision to put the Town on probation. Town staff is committed to following our FEMA-approved plan and will continue to collaborate with FEMA and FDEM to regain our NFIP discount and CRS classification,” stated Andrew Hyatt, town manager of Fort Myers Beach.

Meanwhile, FEMA notified Lee County that residents in unincorporated areas with NFIP policies will maintain their 25% discount rate.

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(Image credit: Seth Wright)