According to the ASFPM, yesterday afternoon the House of Representatives passed a one year extension of the National Flood Insurance Program, extending the current program through September 30, 2011.  (Full details can be found by searching for bill number S. 3814 on https://congress.gov/)

The NFIP’s authority had been set to expire on September 30, 2010.The measure now goes to the White House for the President’s signature, which is expected to happen quickly. (ASFPM is “The premier voice in floodplain management practice and policy throughout the nation.”)

The FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) mission is to “reduce the loss of life and property and protect the Nation from all hazards, including natural disasters…” One of the ways that FEMA “protects” us and helps to “reduce the loss of life and property” is through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

The NFIP enables property owners to purchase insurance protection against losses from flooding.  To establish the insurance rates for each particular home, FEMA identifies flood hazard areas throughout the U.S. by producing Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps (FBFMs).  These maps identify the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA)>

The re-authorization of the National Flood Insurance Program, if for only a year, allows homeowners throughout the country to purchase flood insurance, and to renew existing flood policies. This had been holding up quite a bit of people, including Insurance Companies (who write the policies for FEMA), realtors, homebuilders, home buyers and sellers, and current policy holders.  Now, there is some stability for at least the next year.

For more information about your flood risk situation, see the flood determination page on this website or CALL PRO17 ENGINEERING TODAY at (334) 826-9540 to arrange a free review of your house location related to the flood zone.