Bill includes unprecedented flood aid

MSBNC ^ | Dec. 19, 2005 | Elizabeth Chuck

[JeffAtlanta]

Gulf Coast residents could receive federal money for uninsured homes

Gulf Coast residents who did not purchase flood insurance because they lived outside areas considered at high risk of flooding — but whose homes were nevertheless ravaged by Hurricane Katrina — would be in line for an unprecedented government bailout under a budget package approved Monday by the House of Representatives.

If the $29 billion earmarked for Katrina relief in a defense appropriations bill that the House passed Monday morning wins final congressional approval, up to $11.5 billion will go toward those uninsured flood victims in Mississippi and Louisiana. Story continues below

The relief still faces serious hurdles in the Senate. It was tacked onto a broad $453 billion defense budget bill. That bill also includes several unrelated measures that are controversial and could bring down the whole bill, including authorization to drill for oil in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge and compromise language for a ban on cruel treatment of terrorism detainees.

Residents whose homes were in designated federal floodplains were required to buy flood insurance ahead of Hurricane Katrina, which struck the Gulf Coast on Aug. 29. People living outside the high-risk zone were not required to purchase flood insurance but could have done so if they had wished.

That would mean homeowners could receive up to $150,000 for repairing or replacing their flood-ruined homes despite not having flood insurance.

[JeffAtlanta]

I contacted FEMA for a flood map of my area. They are FOR SALE! No thanks.

You can go to this FEMA link to determine your property's flood risk.

[Jigsaw John]

That would mean homeowners could receive up to $150,000 for repairing or replacing their flood-ruined homes despite not having flood insurance.

This is great news!

I live in the west, so if I get a little quake damage, I'm taken care of! This would only happen in a country where the poor people are fat!

What a country!

[JeffAtlanta]

I contacted FEMA for a flood map of my area. They are FOR SALE!

Also, you can go to this link for a FEMA multi-hazard map of your area. The map is pretty cool and includes flood, hurricane, tornado, fire and earthquake risks.

[houeto]

Thanks for the link Jeff. Cool map.

[WasDougsLamb]

I know what you mean. Where I live it is mandatory we carry flood insurance because of a creek that runs through my back pasture.