More than 5,200 Homes in Six Declared Counties Covered by Flood Insurance 

Release Date: July 18, 2006
Release Number: 1643-034

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NEWINGTON, N.H. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced this week that a major milestone was reached in the FEMA-administered National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): More than 5 million Americans are now protecting their homes with flood insurance.

In New Hampshire, for all counties, a total of 6,804 flood insurance policies were in effect as of May 31, 2006.  The average statewide policy cost was $616 with the total state wide annual premiums amounting to $4,196,188.

"Americans have begun to truly understand that flood insurance is an important part of protecting their home and property from the devastation of flooding," said David Paulison, Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

In the last two years, the NFIP has experienced consistent growth, with the number of policies in force increasing by more than 11 percent, said FEMA Mitigation Director, David Maurstad.  "Nationally, we have about 40 percent of homes in high-hazard flood areas covered by flood insurance and that's tragic.  Americans inside and outside of high-hazard flood zones must recognize that flooding is American's number-one natural disaster and that everyone faces some level of risk."

A breakdown of NFIP figures as of May 31, 2006 for the six disaster declared Individual Assistance counties in New Hampshire include:

County Total Policies Avg. Ann. Premium Total Losses* Total Dollars Paid*
Belknap 250 $745 76 $576,788
Carroll 416 $652 169 $716,860
Hillsborough 796 $698 212 $997,787
Merrimack 388 $723 92 $362,991
Rockingham 3,142 $583 1,092 $5,710,454
Strafford 285 $548 42 $239,950

*Total Losses and Total Dollars Paid are since 1978

To learn more about flood insurance, visit www.FloodSmart.gov, or call 1-800-427-2419.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program.  FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Wednesday, 06-Dec-2006 09:42:41