14 August
Outdated FEMA flood maps leave billions in damages uninsured
Hurricane Debby caused nearly $10 billion in uninsured damages due to outdated FEMA flood maps that failed to reflect current flood risks.
Saul Elbein reports for The Hill.
In short:
- Over 75% of properties damaged by Hurricane Debby were outside areas requiring flood insurance.
- FEMA's flood maps are outdated, with some over 50 years old, leaving many homes unprotected.
- Resistance from developers and local governments has stalled updates to the National Flood Insurance Program.
Why this matters:
As climate change increases flood risks, millions of Americans are vulnerable to catastrophic losses without the necessary insurance, risking severe financial and societal impacts.
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