SmarterSafer pushes for permanent flood insurance program

SmarterSafer, an organization that focuses on national disaster planning policy, is pushing Congress to pass a permanent National Flood Insurance Program reform bill that will provide insurance subsidies for homes in flood prone areas, while making substantive changes to the program. The House of Representatives recently passed a short-term extension of the National Flood Insurance Program after the Senate also accepted a short-term resolution. But SmarterSafer.org wants permanent reform to pass in the near future. “Temporary fixes only make the program more unstable. It is time for Congress to pass meaningful, long-term NFIP reform so the nation can promote hurricane safety and reduce the costly rebuilding that can often be prevented with proper preparation and planning,”said SmarterSafer.org in a statement. The NFIP program was scheduled to expire in November, but members of Congress passed a temporary extension. The short-term reform plan also includes a provision that phases out subsidies for certain properties and it offers a transition for properties that are newly mapped into flood zones. Write to Kerri Panchuk.