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National Flood Insurance Program Probation for Port Vincent, Louisiana

DENTON, Texas- Efforts are ongoing by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist the village of Port Vincent, Louisiana hold on to its National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) status; a status that it is in jeopardy of losing if it does not correct current floodplain management violations.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) makes flood insurance available in communities where minimum local floodplain management standards are adopted and enforced. FEMA recently issued a letter to Port Vincent that establishes a deadline of March 1, 2013 for the village to correct certain violations and program deficiencies.

The deficiencies cited in the probation letter include the failure to manage floodplain development in accordance with the village’s floodplain program and a lack of adequate administrative procedures and record keeping.

While the village works to correct these violations, property owners will still be able to purchase and renew flood insurance coverage during the probationary period. However, a $50 surcharge will be added to any policy sold or renewed in the community for the next year beginning on March 1, 2013. There are currently 103 flood insurance policies in the village.

If the village fails to make progress by Sept. 1, 2013, it could be suspended from the program. The result of suspension is the loss of federally backed flood insurance in the community. Residents in the village will not be able to purchase or renew their flood insurance policies after the suspension occurs.

Additionally, if a flood disaster occurs in a suspended community, most types of federal disaster assistance for structures within the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), including federal assistance to individuals and households is not available. Also, the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 prohibits federal agencies from making grants, loans, or guarantees for the acquisition or construction of structures located in a SFHA.

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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. Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

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National Flood Insurance Program Probation for Port Vincent, Louisiana

FEMA Opens Flood Response Office for Connecticut Flood Insurance Policyholders

National Flood Insurance policyholders who suffered damage from Hurricane Sandy and who have questions about their flood insurance claims can get help from a new office in Meriden.

Those with questions about their homeowners insurance, which does not cover flood-related claims, should direct their inquiries to the state Insurance Department.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Flood Insurance Program has opened a Flood Response Office to service both National Flood Insurance Program policyholders and the agents who write those policies.

The Flood Response Office is located at 1064 E. Main St., Meriden, CT 06450. Operating hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, until further notice. The contact person at the office is NFIP General Adjuster Jim Cavazos. The office will remain open for as long as there is a need for the service.

The Flood Response Office will coordinate with insurance companies that write flood policies and the NFIP Direct Servicing Agent to provide guidance, define the scope of coverage, assist with the reinspection of losses and answer policyholders’ questions. The office number is 203-634-1118.

The Connecticut Insurance Department has a number that policyholders can call if they are having issues with their insurance companies related to homeowners insurance claims or other insurance matters in the wake of Sandy. Call the Consumer Helpline at 860-297-3900 or 800- 203-3447.

Policyholders can also email their questions or complaints to the Insurance Department at: cid.ca@ct.gov or visit the Department’s Web site at http://ct.gov/cid

For more information on National Flood Insurance, visit www.floodsmart.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 800-621-3362. For TTY, call 800-462-7585.

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FEMA Opens Flood Response Office for Connecticut Flood Insurance Policyholders

FEMA Extends Preferred Risk Policies for Homeowners

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, FEMA announced the extension of the Preferred Risk Policy eligibility under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) until further notice, as the Agency completes a study and analysis of the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, signed into law by President Obama on July 6, 2012.

FEMA announced today that until an implementation plan for the new flood insurance law is put into place, customers holding existing preferred risk policies can continue to renew at the lower cost rate, beyond the previously designated two-year period.

“By extending the eligibility period until further notice, home and building owners’ preferred risk policies will continue at a lower cost rate,” said FEMA Federal Insurance and Mitigation Associate Administrator, David Miller. “As we continue to evaluate how best to implement the recent National Flood Insurance Program legislation, we encourage property owners to take advantage of this extended low rate. This way, families and businesses can continue to protect their property financially from one of the most common and costly natural disasters: flooding.”

Beginning with the first renewal effective on or after January 1, 2013, existing preferred risk policies will not be transitioned into full-risk rating. Instead, they will continue to be issued as preferred risk policies at each renewal, until further notice. Additionally, the preferred risk policy discounted rate will be available to property owners and renters whose buildings are found to be in Special Flood Hazard Area following map revisions that became effective on or after October 1, 2008. In order to be eligible for the preferred risk policy, the building must also meet certain loss-history requirements. If there are two claims, or disaster relief payments for flood of $1,000 or more, or three losses of any amount, the structure is ineligible for a preferred risk policy.

Premiums for all preferred risk policyholders are being increased an average of 13 percent to maintain a revenue neutral program that also accounts for the expected increase in participation and policies issued under the preferred risk rate. This increased rate remains below the average full-risk premium that would otherwise be incurred among these policy holders.

For more information on FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program, and to identify your flood risk, visit www.floodsmart.gov.

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.

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FEMA Extends Preferred Risk Policies for Homeowners

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.

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

Town of Aldora Makes Flood Insurance Available to Its Residents and Property Owners

Town of Aldora, Ga. joins National Flood Insurance Program

Release Date: May 16, 2012
Release Number: R4-12-015

» 2012 Region IV News Releases

ATLANTA, Ga. — The town of Aldora in Lamar County, Ga. is now a participating community in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which means those living and working in the town can purchase federally-underwritten flood insurance.

Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S. Standard homeowner’s, business owner’s, and renter’s insurance doesn’t cover flood damage, so a separate flood insurance policy can provide property owners with financial protection against the devastating effects of flooding.

On May 10, 2012, Aldora joined the program and is now among nearly 21,000 communities participating in the NFIP nationwide. The NFIP does more than make flood insurance available; it also supports local communities in their efforts to reduce the risk and consequences of serious flooding. In order to participate in the program, a community must agree to adopt and enforce sound floodplain management regulations and ordinances to reduce future flood damage. In exchange for these practices, flood insurance is available to homeowners, business owners and renters in participating communities.

Even if you don’t live in an area at high-risk of flooding, you should still consider flood insurance because anyone can be financially vulnerable to floods. People outside of high-risk areas file more than 20 percent of NFIP claims and receive one-third of disaster assistance for flooding.

The NFIP is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency which works with nearly 90 private insurance companies to provide affordable flood insurance to property owners and renters in NFIP-participating communities. Flood insurance policies may be written by state-licensed property and casualty insurance agents.

For more information on the National Flood Insurance Program, visit www.floodsmart.gov.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 16-May-2012 17:21:56

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Town of Aldora Makes Flood Insurance Available to Its Residents and Property Owners

Get FloodSmart: Protect Now With Flood Insurance

30-Day Countdown to the 2012 Hurricane Season Begins May 2

Release Date: May 1, 2012
Release Number: HQ-12-033

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Every year, thirty days from the start of hurricane season, FEMA officials urge U.S. residents to prepare their homes and businesses for the heightened flood risks associated with hurricanes and tropical storms. This year, FEMA is placing more urgency in this message due to the expiration of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) on May 31, 2012, the day before the 2012 hurricane season begins on June 1st.

The authorization for the National Flood Insurance Program is scheduled to expire on May 31 unless Congress acts in advance to reauthorize it. The NFIP makes federally backed flood insurance available to homeowners, renters and business owners. The NFIP identifies areas of flood risk; it encourages communities to implement measures to mitigate against the risk of flood loss; and it provides financial assistance to help individuals recover rapidly from flooding disasters.

“Flood insurance is essential to help protect against the devastating effects of flooding, and the time to act is now,” said David Miller, Associate Administrator for FEMA’s Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration. “As we approach a potentially active hurricane season, 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.”

Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster to affect every state across the country. Severe weather has already brought significant flood events to many states in the U.S. As we continue to monitor conditions and respond to these events, we must also look forward to summer and hurricane-related weather patterns that will heighten flood risks for many.

FEMA also stresses that flood risks associated with hurricane season extend beyond the Gulf and Southeastern coasts. The largest amounts of rainfall from hurricanes are often produced by slow moving storms that stall out miles from a shoreline as did Tropical Storm Lee in 2011. In addition, last year Hurricane Irene caused major flooding over much of the mid-Atlantic and Northeast when it moved inland, with high winds and torrential rains.

FEMA is urging residents to purchase flood insurance now. Flood insurance is available through more than 85 insurance companies in nearly 22,000 participating communities nationwide. Most everyone can purchase flood insurance – including renters, business owners, and homeowners. Flood insurance is also affordable. The average flood insurance policy is around $625 a year. And in moderate- to low- risk areas, homeowners can protect their properties with low-cost Preferred Risk Policies (PRPs) that start at just $129 a year. Individuals can learn more about their flood risk by visiting www.FloodSmart.gov or calling 1-800-427-2419.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 02-May-2012 08:45:23

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Get FloodSmart: Protect Now With Flood Insurance

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