Based on a recent Federal Emergency Management Agency rating system, some Iowa City property owners may receive flood-insurance discounts, according to an Iowa City press release.

Iowa City is now in the FEMA Community Rating System, a program that discounts flood insurance rates from 5 percent to 40 percent based on community education and outreach endeavors.

Rewards are also given for communities that raise elevation and flood-proofing requirements above the required minimum.

On a 1 to 10 scale, "1" given the highest discount, "10" the lowest, Iowa City has been assigned an "8" as a result of community actions during May. Among the discounts, which will take effect as of Oct. 1, is a 10 percent discount for those in the 100-year floodplain, those in the 500-year floodplain will receive 5 percent flood insurance discount. This becomes $152 and $51 in savings, according to the release.

As more community flood programs are planned, Iowa City will request its rank to be reconsidered in 2012, with hopes to increase discounts in the 100-year flood plain by 15 percent for at least October 2012, the release said.

— by Janet Lawler