Today, we have more than 4.2 million policies in force in more than 19,000 communities. Don't rely on disaster assistance to get you out of trouble. It's only available for major presidentially declared disasters, not local flooding events. Everyone at risk of flood damage should be insured. Insure public buildings too.
Public buildings are at risk for flood damage too, and that means every taxpayer is at risk as well.
FEMA is exploring changes to the Public Assistance program with regard to insurance and has issued an advance notice of proposed a rule rulemaking under which uninsured public buildings would not be eligible for disaster assistance. We think it's smart business, both for federal taxpayers and local ones. Just as important, we think it's only fair. Communities that make room in their budgets for disaster insurance shouldn't have to pay the bills for those that don't. We also know insurance for public facilities can be difficult to obtain.