With more people filing claims after the previous week’s bevy of storms, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced higher flood insurance premiums particularly for policyholders constantly beset by flooding.
“Basically, the same people are filing claims for a second time,” explained
Farmers Insurance agent Peter Zografos. “FEMA is increasing rates regardless. Some of these homeowners may have to be insured directly with the National Flood Insurance Program due to repetitive claims, [and] basically will be charged more for too many flood claims.”
Zografos referred to Meyerland and its surrounding communities—all of them had just experienced flooding 11 months ago.
“I have never seen as many floods as this…I am pretty positive Meyerland will flood again,” he added.
A report released Monday by the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management revealed that the storms last week caused flooding in over 6,700 Harris County homes. All told, the floods caused $56 million in damages to residential and commercial properties in unincorporated Harris County, stated Francisco Sanchez, a public information officer for the agency.
President Barack Obama also issued Monday disaster declarations for Harris, Fayette, Parker and Grimes counties, allowing FEMA to grant up to $33,000 for individual homeowners affected by the recent deluge. Those already covered under FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program, however, are not eligible to receive the grant.
The current going rate for FEMA’s flood insurance is $779 a year, as reported by Houston Press, with data from FloodSmart.gov. Last year, a number of homeowners observed a $100 annual hike in their policies.
