500,000 Louisiana Residents Could Lose Flood Insurance

While legislators are still unable to reach a consensus on how to reform the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), some 500,000 active policy holders in Louisiana wait patiently for legislators to renew or reform the federal program by July 31st or they face losing coverage.  

"In the absence of reauthorizing legislation, the National Flood Insurance Program will lapse, in the middle of hurricane season, leaving more than five million American families and businesses vulnerable. My colleagues shouldn't play politics with the NFIP. It's central to the stability and vitality of the American economy, whether you live in Plaquemines Parish or the Missouri floodplain." said Senator John Kennedy as he spoke on the Senate floor.

U.S. Senators  Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), and John Kennedy (R-LA) submitted an amendment to the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (H.R.2), also known as the Senate Farm Bill that would reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for six months.

“Louisiana families depend on the National Flood Insurance Program for peace of mind and recovery after a disaster,” said Dr. Cassidy. “We must preserve this program through hurricane season as we work on a long-term re-authorization that ensures the program is affordable and sustainable.”

In a multi-layered approach to ensuring the program doesn’t expire, Cassidy and Kennedy also introduced a standalone bill to extend the National Flood Insurance Program.

Although there is no guarantee the program will be renewed; several legislators have publicly stated that there is bipartisan support for passage, but no consensus as to which version will be supported.