Flood insurance

The Senate's farm bill would prevent the July 31 lapse of the National Flood Insurance Program, but it still needs to be debated in conference with the House.

There are almost 7 million coastal homes facing more than $1.6 trillion in potential storm-surge reconstruction expenses this year, representing a 6.6% cost increase from last year's hurricane season.

As Congress moves quickly toward passing regulatory relief legislation, another financial services policy goal — long-term reform of the National Flood Insurance Program — remains stalled.

Senate leaders have unveiled a budget agreement that includes $64.2 billion to help states and U.S. territories recover from last year's hurricanes, wildfires and other disasters.

Likely changes to the National Flood Insurance Program are poised to raise costs for many Jersey Shore homeowners, perhaps substantially.

Commissioners Court is considering slowing the growth of the Harris County, Texas, budget as officials continue to grapple with Hurricane Harvey's widespread destruction and potential impact on property tax revenues.

The percentage of flood damage to residential properties from Hurricane Harvey that is uninsured is turning out to be a little higher than earlier estimates.

The government shutdown and Congress' inability to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program could delay some home sales and loan closings.

Hurricane Irma's price tag in federal disaster assistance now totals $1.95 billion in Florida, including $39 million on the Treasure Coast, according to federal reports.

Numerous business sectors are urging lawmakers to act quickly to extend the National Flood Insurance Program before a crucial deadline next week.

Seven flood-prone Highland Park, Ill., homes adjacent to forks of the North Branch of the Chicago River could potentially be purchased, demolished and converted to open space under a voluntary flood buyout.

The House approved a five-year extension of the National Flood Insurance Program on Tuesday, but it remains unclear whether the Senate will seek to pursue its own bill. The program is due to expire Dec. 8.

The bill includes $16 billion in debt forgiveness for the National Flood Insurance Program and could benefit financial institutions’ customers in areas impacted by recent hurricanes and wildfires.

Texas is receiving $58 million from the Community Development Block Grant disaster recovery program that HUD administers.

While the House disaster relief bill would provide $16 billion in debt relief for the National Flood Insurance Program, it does not include a Trump administration proposal to ban new construction in flood-prone areas.

While the scale of destruction and suffering caused by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma is staggering, history suggests the local economy and housing markets in the affected areas will bounce back relatively quickly.

Four neighborhoods hit hardest by Hurricane Harvey have limited resources and are in most need of federal, state and local assistance for property repair and rehabilitation costs.

While lawmakers appear eager to help develop private flood insurance as an alternative to the federal program, some are worried that private policies won't help support flood mapping and the enforcement of flood codes.

The House passed a bill Thursday making it easier to obtain private flood insurance policies, but moments later the Senate took a pass on the legislation.

The parts of the U.S. most at risk of natural disasters are also the places where property values are highest and increasing most quickly.