flood insurance

FEMA funds for flood insurance lapse

(MINOT DAILY NEWS) - Talk about terrible timing - funds for the National Flood Insurance Program have lapsed just as the Federal Emergency Management Agency is making the rounds in North Dakota to encourage homeowners to purchase that very product.

FEMA, along with the N.D. Department of Emergency Services, is hosting a town hall meeting this evening from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Room 201 of the Minot Auditorium.

National flood insurance has been billed as the primary topic for the Minot meeting. The problem is, funding for the program lapsed Sunday at midnight. Re-authorization for government flood insurance is attached to an unemployment benefits bill that has been delayed in the Senate.

According to Cecily Fong, public information officer for the N.D. Department of Emergency Services, her office received a memo stating that issuance of new policies, increasing coverage on exisiting policies and the issuing of renewal policies has been halted. However, the delay is expected to be temporary.

“The most important message that we need to tell people is that it is anticipated that funding will be coming forth quickly and that the program will be up and running very soon,” said Fong.

According to Fong, homeowners who apply for flood insurance during the funding lapse will begin their mandatory 30 day waiting period required for the policy to take effect at the moment of application.

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