This week, Lee County reported that County Manager Dave Harner will mail a letter to more than 67,000 households in unincorporated Lee — which includes Captiva — with policies from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to offer an update and reassurance about efforts to work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to retain policy discounts.

FEMA is mandated to mail a letter to residents later in August about the status of the program, and the county believes that some of the language may understandably cause residents concern.

The county reported that specifically, the FEMA letter may speak to removing unincorporated Lee from the Community Rating System, which is what is now giving unincorporated residents up to a 25% discount on their flood insurance. Also, the letter may say that all policyholders would receive a $50 surcharge on their policies if the county was placed on probation. The letter may also state that if the community is suspended, then no one in the affected area will be eligible for federal flood insurance.

The county’s letter states that none of this is slated to happen during the 2024 hurricane season. The county reported that it has many months to coordinate with FEMA to create a collaborative plan and to avoid being placed on probation from the NFIP.

“We are actively working with FEMA on a plan that negates the need for much of what will be mentioned in their letter,” Harner said. “NFIP policyholders in unincorporated Lee County are at the forefront of our priorities, and our Lee Board of County Commissioners is committed to retaining residents’ discounts and continuing participation in this important flood insurance program.”

He added that the county remains dedicated to providing transparency and context through every step of the process.

The county has been working with FEMA since Hurricane Ian made landfall in 2022 and has had weekly meetings with FEMA since the spring. The county was notified on July 19 that FEMA will maintain unincorporated Lee’s CRS rating of 5 and NFIP policyholder discounts while the county and FEMA continue to work on a plan to address identified continuing issues. The plan is due in the fall.

To view the county’s letter, visit www.leegov.com/femacrs.

Residents who have questions after receiving the FEMA letter can contact LeeCountyFEMA@leegov.com or visit www.leegov.com/femacrs for more information.