| Update: Congress has until February 8 to reform the National Flood Insurance Program following an unprecedented hurricane season. | View online | |
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| | |  | | Ask Congress to Keep the Nation's Flood Insurance Program from Drowning. Act Now» | | | |
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| JoAnn-
Congress now has until Feb. 8 to reform the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Reforms to address repeatedly flooded properties, require flood risk disclosure, and limit the government's exposure to the riskiest and costliest properties would save taxpayer dollars and reduce the impact of flood damage on homes and communities.
There's still time to make your voice heard. Please join me by voicing your support for NFIP reform.
Thanks,
Laura | | | | | Dear JoAnn,
We recently witnessed one of the most destructive and costly hurricane seasons on record. In four weeks, three major storms—Harvey, Irma, and Maria—battered the United States from Texas and South Carolina to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, leaving hundreds dead and more than $250 billion in estimated damage.
As with past natural disasters, Congress acted quickly to provide emergency assistance. But the federal government should do more to protect families and communities from this level of destruction in the future. Congress has the opportunity to do just that by reforming the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which expires Feb. 8.
Burdened with debt, the NFIP is ill-equipped to deal with the catastrophic events we are all too familiar with today. The House of Representatives has passed the 21st Century Flood Reform Act (H.R. 2874),which would address the growing problem of repeatedly flooded properties; require property sellers to disclose flood risk; and limit the federal government's exposure to the riskiest and costliest properties. However, the bill doesn't do enough to reduce flood-related damage and the impact these floods have on homes, communities, and taxpayers.
The Senate now must act to take up the House bill and make needed changes to improve the financial solvency of the NFIP so that it can continue to pay out claims to flood victims and break the costly cycle of flooding and rebuilding.
Please contact your senators today and encourage them to reform and reauthorize the NFIP.
Best, | | Laura Lightbody
Project Director
The Pew Charitable Trusts |  | | |
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