April 08, 2019

Manchin Requests Extension Of Flood Insurance Assistance

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), today requested an extension of the grace period for no cost flood insurance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

The letter in part said, “The natural disaster that inundated these communities has been compounded by the bureaucratic disaster that has prevented the $106 million Congress appropriated for mitigation and resilience activities over a year ago from reaching the people on the ground who need it most. This funding will support strategic infrastructure investments that will improve water management and reduce our exposure to future flood risks, both of which could significantly reduce premiums for the families and businesses that have National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies in the impacted area. It is my hope that FEMA officials will work with their state and local partners to identify the types of projects that will have the most influence on premiums through the Community Rating System (CRS) and other voluntary incentive programs that FEMA operates and administers.”

FEMA Public Assistance and Individual Assistance programs have helped West Virginians across 18 counties who are rebuilding their lives after the disastrous flooding that impacted West Virginia in June 2016. Following the Major Disaster Declaration, FEMA offered a grace period to certain NFIP policyholders of no cost flood insurance for three years. That grace period is due to end in June, three years after the storm. Senator Manchin has asked Acting FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor to extend this flood insurance assistance until the $106 million in disaster recovery funding Congress appropriated over a year ago can be invested in mitigation and resilience projects to reduce the threat of future flooding.

The letter also said, “Earlier this week, I was proud to secure a commitment from Dr. Ben Carson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, that this funding would be released by May 1st, 2019. While that is an important step in the right direction, we need to give the State of West Virginia and our local partners the time and resources they need to put this money to work before arbitrarily raising peoples’ premiums.”

The letter can be read below: 

Dear Mr. Gaynor:

Nearly three years ago, 18 West Virginia counties were impacted by a Major Disaster Declaration (DR-4273) and deemed eligible for a combination of Public Assistance and Individual Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). On behalf of my constituents who continue to work to rebuild their communities from this devastating flooding, I urge you to extend the grace period for no cost flood insurance through the Other Needs Assistance program beyond the current three year window. 

The natural disaster that inundated these communities has been compounded by the bureaucratic disaster that has prevented the $106 million Congress appropriated for mitigation and resilience activities over a year ago from reaching the people on the ground who need it most. This funding will support strategic infrastructure investments that will improve water management and reduce our exposure to future flood risks, both of which could significantly reduce premiums for the families and businesses that have National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies in the impacted area. It is my hope that FEMA officials will work with their state and local partners to identify the types of projects that will have the most influence on premiums through the Community Rating System (CRS) and other voluntary incentive programs that FEMA operates and administers. 

Earlier this week, I was proud to secure a commitment from Dr. Ben Carson, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, that this funding would be released by May 1st, 2019. While that is an important step in the right direction, we need to give the State of West Virginia and our local partners the time and resources they need to put this money to work before arbitrarily raising peoples’ premiums. Market penetration has long been a systemic problem within the NFIP, and I fear that the sudden shock of overnight rate hikes before these investments can be made will only compound that problem and retard important ongoing efforts to promote the adoption of flood insurance policies in all flood zones. 

I could not be prouder of the way my fellow West Virginians came together during the deadly June 2016 floods or the dedication and grit they have demonstrated over the past three years working day in and day out to rebuild their communities. Thank you for your continued attention to the ongoing recovery efforts in West Virginia and your thoughtful consideration of this request. 

I look forward to continuing our work together on behalf of the people of West Virginia. 

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