Flood Insurance Information Offered At Disaster Recovery Centers 

Release Date: October 3, 2004
Release Number: 1558-029

» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding and Landslides

CHARLESTON, W. Va. -- To make certain citizens receive flood benefits that are available, federal, state and insurance authorities today urged property owners with National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) coverage to file claims resulting from Hurricane Ivan and to call their agents and visit the mitigation specialists at Disaster Recovery Centers if they have unresolved questions.

“There are many factors in determining benefits for National Flood Insurance Program coverage. Each case is unique,” said Lou Botta, Federal Coordinating Officer of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). “We want to assure that citizens entitled to recover damage costs don’t rule themselves out before having their specific situation evaluated.”

A number of flood survivors are expressing concern about whether they are eligible for NFIP benefits after being told about other people’s benefits, say FEMA, the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services and the West Virginia Insurance Commission.

One complicated determination, for example, involves coverage of damage from hillside runoff. Hillside runoff may, in fact, have triggered benefits because creek flooding was a general condition during Hurricane Ivan. Equally confusing is the application of benefits in subgrade areas. NFIP often doesn’t cover basement contents. Materials used to finish basement spaces as living areas, when all sides of the basement floor are located below ground level, are not covered. However, foundation elements, such as posts, pilings, piers and support systems for elevated buildings, along with mechanical equipment necessary to make the home habitable, are covered even when sited below ground level.

Examples of NFIP-covered mechanical systems are:

Homeowners can check with NFIP about distinctions in damage between basements and lower floors, and how to lessen hazards from future storm events.

In addition to asking questions through FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers, detailed information is available from several other information resources:

As of October 1, 2004, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan alone, 577 NFIP claims were filed in West Virginia with 27 of them closed and a total of $253,806 paid. Nationally, 13,772 Ivan-related NFIP claims have been filed with 150 closed and $2,457,566.78 paid so far.

About the National Flood Insurance Program
Because standard homeowners and commercial property policies do not cover flood losses, FEMA administers the vital National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). NFIP utilizes the private insurance industry to facilitate the sale and servicing of flood insurance policies, which are frequently issued under the private insurance company name. The NFIP offers property owners the opportunity to purchase flood insurance in exchange for state and community floodplain management regulations that reduce future flood damages. Buildings constructed in compliance with NFIP building standards suffer approximately 80 percent less damage annually than those not built in compliance.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Modified: Monday, 04-Oct-2004 10:17:48