Story perspectives

Congress Extends Flood Insurance Program to Prevent Winter Lapse

By Drooid · Oct 2, 2026, 4:55 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Congress authorized extending the National Flood Insurance Program to avoid a lapse this winter.
The program, run by FEMA, insures 4.7 million policyholders for $1.3 trillion in flood risk.
If the program lapses after Dec 11, FEMA will stop selling and renewing flood policies nationwide.
A strong El Niño could raise flood and mudslide risk, with California facing $2-$3 billion losses.

History

Historical Context

The National Flood Insurance Program was launched in 1968 by the National Flood Insurance Act signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson after private insurers abandoned flood coverage following the 1927 Great Mississippi Flood. Reforms—1973 purchase requirement, the 2012 Biggert-Waters overhaul, and the 2014 Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act—left the NFIP covering about 5 million properties with $24 billion debt. A Dec 11 renewal deadline now endangers 4.7 million policyholders.

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Story summary

Congress authorized extending the National Flood Insurance Program to avoid a lapse this winter.
The program, run by FEMA, insures 4.7 million policyholders for $1.3 trillion in flood risk.
If the program lapses after Dec 11, FEMA will stop selling and renewing flood policies nationwide.
A strong El Niño could raise flood and mudslide risk, with California facing $2-$3 billion losses.

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