FEMA National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization Needed

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization Needed 

Agency officials Urge Congressional Action for Reauthorization

Release Date: April 23, 2012
Release Number: HQ-12-31

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The authorization for the National Flood Insurance Program is scheduled to expire on May 31 unless Congress acts, in advance, to reauthorize it. The program helps make federally backed flood insurance available to homeowners, renters and business owners in communities.

“Without reauthorization, the NFIP will be unable to issue new policies, renew existing policies, or modify policies to increase coverage on the existing policy.” said David Miller, Associate Administrator for FEMA’s Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration. “Reauthorizing the National Flood Insurance Program is the prudent thing to do. FEMA is urging Congress to reauthorize the NFIP and send a clear signal to citizens, communities, and private sector partners that the federal government will continue to support our nation’s efforts to manage flood risk.”

Floods continue to be the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States and the NFIP plays a key role in our nation’s efforts to prevent and recover from flood disasters. The NFIP was created in 1968 to help lessen the financial impact of flood disasters on individuals, business, and all levels of government that would otherwise only be available through a limited pool of private insurance.

Under the NFIP, federally backed flood insurance is made available to homeowners, renters and business owners in communities that adopt and enforce floodplain management ordinances designed to reduce future flood losses by regulating new construction. The NFIP identifies areas of flood risk; encourages communities to implement measures to mitigate against the risk of flood loss; provides financial assistance to help individuals recover rapidly from flooding disasters; and lessens the financial impact of flood disasters on individuals, businesses, and all levels of government.

Without the NFIP in place, many individuals, families, businesses and local communities will find themselves left vulnerable to the devastating effects of flooding. Property owners in high risk areas, who would normally be required to purchase flood insurance to fulfill lending requirements will be unable to obtain affordable flood insurance.

The National Association of REALTORS estimates that a lapse in authorization jeopardizes an estimated 40,000 mortgage closings per month for individuals purchasing property mapped in a special flood hazard area. In addition, if the NFIP experiences a lapse in authorization, the cash flow into the program from premiums will diminish, and the NFIP may have to halt payment of claims for survivors who have recently experienced flooding, including those impacted by recent hurricanes Irene and Lee.

In recent years, a series of short-term reauthorizations and temporary suspensions of the NFIP have had a negative impact on the confidence in the program among citizens and stakeholders, including state governments, tribal governments, local communities, individual policyholders, mortgage lenders, and the private insurance industry. FEMA is asking Congress to support a two year reauthorization and affirm its commitment to citizens, communities, and private sector partners that the federal government will continue to support our nation’s efforts to manage flood risk.

Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 24-Apr-2012 17:23:48

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FEMA National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization Needed

Tell Your Neighbor to Register with FEMA

Tell Your Neighbor to Register with FEMA 

Release Date: March 26, 2012
Release Number: 4057-032

» More Information on Kentucky Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding

FRANKFORT, Ky. — If you are one of the over 4,000 Kentuckians who have registered for disaster assistance with FEMA, you may have a family member, a neighbor or just know someone who has not applied for help.

Getting assistance to everyone in the Commonwealth who is eligible is the reason the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Kentucky Emergency Management and the U.S. Small Business Administration officials have begun a “Tell Your Neighbor” campaign.

Individuals and households affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding of Feb 29 through March 2 should apply for assistance as soon as possible by calling the toll-free registration number at 800-621-FEMA (3362). Speech- or hearing-impaired individuals may call TTY 800-462-7585. Individuals also can apply for disaster assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

“We are enlisting the help of area residents to make sure no one is missing a chance to apply for help,” said Libby Turner, federal officer in charge of Kentucky recovery. “Tell Your Neighbor” is a coordinated effort to make sure communities and residents get their recovery underway and no one is left behind.”

Disaster officials encourage Kentucky survivors to tell their friends, family and neighbors who may be hesitant to register for disaster assistance.

Important aspects of “Tell Your Neighbor” are the need to register for assistance with FEMA and the importance of returning SBA loan applications, even though individuals may not want or need a loan from SBA. Completion of the SBA loan application may open the door to FEMA grants and other forms of assistance available to eligible residents. An insurance claim does not have to be settled to complete and submit an SBA loan application.

It is also important your friends and neighbors know they should register with FEMA for assistance even though they have insurance, because insurance may not meet all their needs, and a low-interest loan from the SBA may fill the gap to more fully recover from damage to your home.

Disaster assistance is not charity. Disaster assistance grants come from federal taxpayer money Congress specifically sets aside for that purpose. The assistance one individual may receive will not take away from another applicant’s federal assistance funds.

FEMA Housing Assistance in the form of grants may include rental assistance, home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance. Other Needs Assistance grants may be available to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs.

SBA disaster loans help homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private nonprofit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property and business assets. These loans may cover insurance deductibles, code required upgrades and other costs not compensated for by insurance or other sources.

For more information about SBA, call the SBA Customer Service Center from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (EDT) Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (EDT), Saturday, at 800-659-2955 for information and assistance. Victims may apply online at http://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. Applicants also may visit the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Last Modified: Monday, 26-Mar-2012 13:06:43

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Tell Your Neighbor to Register with FEMA

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