Flood insurance

Act on Multiple Peril Insurance legislation

October 13, 2009 -- Bay St. Louis, Miss. -- With the President's upcoming visit to New Orleans on October 15, 2009, Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Miss.) wrote Mr. Obama urging the Administration to reform the National Flood Insurance Program and revisit the Multiple Peril Insurance Act of 2009, his proposed solution to the homeowner insurance crisis that is sweeping America's homeowners throughout the Gulf and Atlantic coastal states.

Rep. Taylor urged the Administration to engage "more actively in reforming the National Flood Insurance Program, providing for better disaster insurance coverage, and improving other disaster response and recovery programs."    » read more »

February 24, 2009 -- ATLANTA, Ga. -- The state of North Carolina will receive $5 million for a statewide risk assessment and mitigation strategy demonstration of the potential impacts of climate change-induced sea level rise.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will use the results of this study to assess the long-term fiscal implications of climate change as it affects the frequency and effects of natural disasters. Information from the study will be shared with other states to inform their climate change mitigation efforts.    » read more »

February 17, 2009 -- Regular business or homeowner’s insurance does not cover flood damage.

The only way to get flood insurance is through the federally funded National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). If your community participates in the program, you are eligible - whether or not you live in a high-risk flood zone.

Communities that participate in the NFIP have agreed to follow certain floodplain management regulations that reduce the risk and dangers of floods. That is why residents of participating communities can qualify for flood insurance that compensates owners and renters for all covered flood-related losses to a home or business after the deductible is met.

The Top Ten Reasons to Buy Flood Insurance Now:    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC—“I am pleased that the Senate has come together in a bipartisan manner to do the right thing for Americans who face the tragic effects of flood damage in their homes and communities. Over 140,000 New Yorkers are covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, and today’s action is an important step in ensuring that this protection remains intact.

Flooding in Lindenhurst, New York: Photo by bloomsday616 (CC)    » read more »

May 13, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on the Senate's passage of the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2007 (H.R. 3121). Senator Obama voted in favor of the measure, which passed by a vote of 92 to 6.

Barack Obama: Photo courtesy Barack Obama campaign

"Every year, tens of thousands of homeowners and businesses throughout the country suffer from catastrophic flooding, and we must do everything we can to ensure they can recover as quickly as possible. I am proud the Senate passed this legislation today, which makes important improvements to the National Flood Insurance Program.    » read more »

Annual notice will provide information about flood insurance eligibility

May 12, 2008 -- Saint Paul – Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty signed legislation (S.F. 2980) today that requires insurance companies and agents to annually notify homeowners if their insurance policy does not include flood coverage.

Minnesota flooding: Photo by cjohnson7 (CC)

The required notice will also remind homeowners that they have the right to purchase flood insurance if they so choose.    » read more »

Nov. 14, 2007 -- The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is modernizing its flood maps. Changes to the flood maps may mean changes in flood insurance coverage options for homes or businesses! For more information, call your insurance company representative or visit floodsmart.gov.

Residents of Pinal and Gila counties must make changes to their flood insurance coverage by December 4, 2007 in order to lock in better rates. Deadlines for other Arizona counties are as follows:

La Paz County: June 3, 2008

Navajo County: September 17, 2008

Mohave County: November, 19, 2008    » read more »

October 11, 2007, ROCKFORD, Ill. -- Buying flood insurance can provide protection and peace of mind. Flooding is one of the most common natural hazards in the United States. State and federal officials want to ensure that all Illinois residents are aware of the benefits of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Below are some common myths and misconceptions about flood insurance.

Myth: Only homeowners can purchase flood insurance.    » read more »

September 17, 2007, NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Acquisition is an effective way to move people and property away from high-risk areas and reduce disaster losses. Project grants are used to implement mitigation activities that reduce flood losses by elevating, acquiring and demolishing or relocating National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) insured buildings.    » read more »

September 11, 2007, WACO, Texas -- As Texas - and much of the Midwest - emerges from a series of major floods, federal and state officials are urging people to buy flood insurance before the next flood hits.

"Even if you weren't flooded recently, you may still be vulnerable to rising water," said Federal Coordinating Officer Kenneth Clark of the Federal Emergency Management Agency."    » read more »

Says confusion over flood insurance is a problem that must be addressed

August 24, 2007 -- Elgin, Minn. – Visiting southeastern Minnesota communities hit by flooding, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced a proposal to require insurance companies to tell Minnesotans about their eligibility for flood insurance.    » read more »

August 21, 2007 -- As peak hurricane season arrives, the Maine Bureau of Insurance and FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are urging consumers to consider purchasing or renewing a flood insurance policy. More than 2,500 flood policies in Maine are up for renewal before the current hurricane season ends. With experts predicting another above-average hurricane season, now is the time for people to protect their home and property against flooding--the most frequently occurring natural disaster in the United States.    » read more »

July 3, 2007 -- "I would like to correct some of the information on flood insurance and flood maps from the series of articles that recently appeared in the Press-Register. The stories highlight a problem that FEMA faces: informing the public about flood risk and the limits of flood maps. Right now in Alabama’s neighboring states, you can read stories and editorials critical of map changes that show more property at higher risk for flooding. It is the old damned-if-we-do-damned-if-we-don’t syndrome: saying you are at risk draws criticism; not showing risk draws criticism.    » read more »

Homeowners, Renters and Businesses Urged To Buy Flood Insurance

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. -- Many people think that if they do not live near a river or the coast, they are not in danger of flooding – not true. In recent years, remnants of tropical storms, dam failures, land development runoff and heavy spring and summer rainfalls have caused serious flood damage across New Hampshire. Everyone lives in a potential flood zone, and most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage.    » read more »