LOCALIZE IT: 10 States sue to halt jump in premiums under flood insurance revamp
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS:
Ten states have filed a lawsuit against the federal government to block sharp increases in national flood insurance rates that are slated to be phased in over the coming years under new methods of calculating premiums for the National Flood Insurance Program.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has said the new formula it began implementing in 2021 means owners of lower-cost homes will no longer be subsidizing the flood risk for pricier, waterfront properties.
But local government officials, business leaders and home owners in some flood-vulnerable areas say they are facing soaring costs in the coming years under the new program.
___
AP'S LATEST COVERAGE
Louisiana, nine other states file suit over methods used to calculate National Flood Insurance Program premiums
___
THESE STATES ARE PLAINTIFFS IN THE LAWSUIT
However, the policy affects people throughout the nation.
Louisiana
Florida
Idaho
Kentucky
Mississippi
Montana
North Dakota
South Carolina
Texas
Virginia
___
PUBLISHABLE CONTEXT
FEMA has said its new National Flood Insurance Program premium system is an improvement over past methods, incorporating data that wasn’t used in the past, including scientific models and costs involved in rebuilding a home. The agency has said the old method could result in people with lower-valued homes paying more than a fair share while those with higher-value homes pay relatively less.
Some people are seeing relatively small changes in premiums. Some are seeing lower rates under the program, which began with new policies in 2021, and with renewing policies last year. And rate increases are capped at 18% per year.
But in some communities, officials report that policy holders are facing, in the coming years, huge increases — in some cases more than 1,000 percent. This, as worries grow that climate change is fueling more severe storms and sea rise.
The lawsuit filed in federal court in New Orleans on June 1 — the first day of hurricane season — says the new system gives too little consideration of local flood mitigation efforts, such as new or beefed up levee systems, or individual property owners' efforts to make their properties more flood resilient.
___
CONSIDER THESE REPORTING AVENUES
Reach out to real estate agents, chambers of commerce or other business organizations, state and local government officials, and members of Congress to see if the new NFIP policy calculations are causing appreciable premium increases or decreases.
"It impacts anybody who lives near water,” Louisiana Solicitor General Elizabeth Murrill said.
___
READ AP'S PAST COVERAGE
EXPLAINER: Flood insurance revamp aims for fairer rates
___
Localize It is an occasional feature produced by The Associated Press for its customers’ use. Questions can be directed to Katie Oyan at koyan@ap.org.