Flooded Iowa County Refused to Join National Flood Insurance Program

Published: Tue 27 Jul 2010

Perry Begay

Residences and businesses impacted by the flood of Lake Delhi in Iowa will not be eligible immediately for federal financial assistance because Delaware County dismissed repeated entreaties to join the National Flood Insurance Program, according to a program coordinator.

However, that might change for certain residents if the county finally joins the NFIP and President Obama declares the region a disaster zone, said Bill Cappuccio, Iowa's coordinator of the federal insurance program.

Some financial assistance may then be available for businesses and primary residences, but not for second or vacation homes, he said.

The chairman of the Delaware County Board of Supervisors, Jeff Madlom, became teary-eyed on Monday as he beseeched flood victims to stay calm and keep an open mind about why Delaware County refused to join the NFIP. Board members claimed they believe there were too many strings attached to program membership.

"There's a lot of stress, we all know it," said Madlom.

His voice broke as his emotions got the best of him. "I apologize, excuse me," he mumbled in a hoarse voice. "We just want everybody to stay calm. There's so much tension around here."

Under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster-assistance program, secondary or vacation home damages are not eligible. A second home occupied by or rented out to a family member might qualify for aid through the Small Business Administration, said Cappuccio.

Cappuccio reported that county officials express their interest in joining the flood insurance program when he talked to them on Monday.

"If the community joins within six months, then the limitations will be lifted and people will be eligible for a full range of assistance," he reported.

But if Delaware County does not join, even flood victims outside of the designated flood plain might be impacted. They would be ineligible for SBA assistance because the agency requires victims to have flood insurance.

The federal flood insurance is cheaper than difficult-to-find private flood insurance. Counties that join NFIP must adopt and enforce the program's rules of flood plain management in order to minimize future flood damage.

Supervisor Shirley Helmrichs believes the federal flood insurance program would have serious repercussions for homeowners. For instance, a home severely damaged by a fire could not be rebuilt unless it were constructed above the flood plain level, she reported.

"It's that noose," said Helmrichs. "There's strings attached that a lot of people don't know if they haven't read it. I've read it five, six times."