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FEMA: Affected Residents of Two Colorado Wildfires Could be Eligible for Immediate Flood Insurance Policies

New Law Provides 30-Day Waiting Period Exception to Policies Following Wildfires on Federal Lands

Release Date: July 10, 2012
Release Number: HQ-12-061

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced, based on consultation with the U.S. Forest Service, that residents in Colorado affected by flooding as a result of the uncontained wildfire in Waldo Canyon in the Pike National Forest and the contained wildfire in High Park in the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest could be eligible for an exception from the 30-day waiting period usually required for flood insurance coverage.

The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, signed into law Friday by President Obama, increases access to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for some residents whose homes were impacted by flooding from federal land that resulted from wildfires. The new law exempts these residents from a 30-day waiting period for flood insurance coverage to become effective. Eligibility for the exception is determined on a case-by-case basis.

“Everyone should know their flood risk and make a smart decision based on their risk on whether they should join the millions of Americans who have purchased flood insurance for their homes,” said David Miller, Associate Administrator of the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA). “Residents impacted by wildfires might live in an area that doesn’t usually have a high risk of flooding, but the fires and dry soil change conditions dramatically. This new law provides a way for people with a heightened risk of flooding following a wildfire on federal land to protect their homes and businesses, and we encourage them to explore this option.”

Individuals and businesses purchasing new insurance policies from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are typically required to wait 30 days for their flood insurance coverage to become effective. The reform provision in this bill created an exception to that requirement for property:

That is affected by flooding on Federal land,
Where the flooding is caused, or exacerbated by, post-wildfire conditions on Federal land, and
Flood insurance was purchased not later than 60 days after the wildfire containment date.

Floods are the number one natural disaster in the United States in terms of lives lost and property damaged. The NFIP provides a means for property owners to financially protect themselves against flooding, which typically isn’t covered by standard homeowners insurance. The NFIP offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners if their community participates in the NFIP. Participating communities agree to adopt and enforce ordinances that meet or exceed FEMA requirements to reduce the risk of flooding.

The National Flood Insurance Program is administered by FEMA, which works with nearly 90 private insurance companies to provide affordable flood insurance to property owners and renters in NFIP-participating communities. One of the most critical ways to financially protect your home or business and its contents from flooding is to purchase flood insurance. To learn about flood risks in your area and for information on flood insurance, contact your insurance agent, and visit www.floodsmart.gov. For more information on flood preparedness tips and ways you can protect your family before, during and after a flood visit www.ready.gov/floods.

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, 10-Jul-2012 18:21:32

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FEMA: Affected Residents of Two Colorado Wildfires Could be Eligible for Immediate Flood Insurance Policies

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.

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

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FEMA National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization Needed

Less Than 6 Months Remain Before Chicot, AR Flood Maps Released

Release Date: April 17, 2012
Release Number: R6-12-076

» 2012 Region VI News Releases

DENTON, Texas — In less than six months, on Oct. 2, new flood maps for Chicot County, Arkansas will become effective. Before the maps are final, state, local and federal officials are encouraging everyone to view the maps to understand their flood risk and consider purchasing flood insurance.

Most property insurance policies do not cover the effects of a flood. Floods can place people at risk of uninsured loss to their businesses, homes and personal property if they don’t have either a private flood insurance policy or coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a voluntary protection program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Flooding is the #1 natural disaster in the United States and only flood insurance covers these unexpected, damaging and sometimes fatal events. “Where there is rain, there could be flooding,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Russell. “Everyone lives in a flood zone.”

To learn if your community participates in the NFIP and to review the new flood maps, please contact your local floodplain administrator (FPA) who may be located at City Hall or the local courthouse.

FEMA Map specialists and Flood Insurance experts also are available to answer questions. They can be reached by phone and online chat:

To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com
To use the live chat service, visit go.usa.gov/r6C. Click on the “Live Chat” icon.
For more information on estimated rates for flood insurance, flood facts and to locate an agent in your area, visit www.FloodSmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531.

FEMA encourages communities not currently participating in the NFIP to look at the benefits of joining the program. Participation in the NFIP can assure a faster recovery in the event of a devastating flood.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 17-Apr-2012 15:52:11

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Less Than 6 Months Remain Before Chicot, AR Flood Maps Released

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