In the debate on Flood Insurance there is a demand to exempt waterproof basements. That is only realistic in saving lives if the elevation of the home allows for any possibility to flooding in a basement. North Dakota is probably a state that can allow for many exempted from such a requirement, but, the majority of states are not in that category.
The US Army Corp and USGS can provide guidance to such an exemption in flood insurance. This is not about affordability, this is about saving lives and the possibility of flooding if residents are forced to use the basements as shelter. In recent events, the basements across two states saved lives. If one recalls there was also rain and at times torrential rains accompanying these storms. If basements in these regions of the country are not flood proof either by design/architectural improvements or elevation above any possibility of flooding, it can cost citizens their lives.
That allowance for exemption MUST be carved out in the legislation in order to allow "The Basement Exemption" over and above Homebuilders' willingness to allow these unsafe conditions. It is outrageous to believe a flat exemption in every state applies. That is simply a way to end higher costs to home building and sell substandard housing that allows for danger in citizen's lives. All too often government is blamed for tragedy in this country in these instances when in fact it is the very powerful lobbies such as the Homebuilder's Lobby that provide inaccurate information for these laws.
The elevations of lands across this country haven't changed in 200 years. USGS can easily provide good information to the possibility of flooding according to elevation. Also the US Forest Service can provide information about deforesting due to logging and/or fire threat to allow for an understanding of flooding to nearby communities. Also the US Army Corp is well equipped to address needed infrastructure projects to begin to protect citizens lives and THUS reduce costs of flood insurance.
To conduct legislation without proper input from these vital US agencies and conduct proper regulations is nothing but knee jerk politics and provides no improvement in the conditions our citizens face. FEMA is not a secondary mortgage company and can't be expected to save lives AFTER THE FACT.
I congratulate all the Senators for bringing this issue to the floor today, but, I implore them to do this well and be sure beyond any doubt citizens will be safe as well as insured.
Thank you so very much. You guys are great.
The US Army Corp and USGS can provide guidance to such an exemption in flood insurance. This is not about affordability, this is about saving lives and the possibility of flooding if residents are forced to use the basements as shelter. In recent events, the basements across two states saved lives. If one recalls there was also rain and at times torrential rains accompanying these storms. If basements in these regions of the country are not flood proof either by design/architectural improvements or elevation above any possibility of flooding, it can cost citizens their lives.
That allowance for exemption MUST be carved out in the legislation in order to allow "The Basement Exemption" over and above Homebuilders' willingness to allow these unsafe conditions. It is outrageous to believe a flat exemption in every state applies. That is simply a way to end higher costs to home building and sell substandard housing that allows for danger in citizen's lives. All too often government is blamed for tragedy in this country in these instances when in fact it is the very powerful lobbies such as the Homebuilder's Lobby that provide inaccurate information for these laws.
The elevations of lands across this country haven't changed in 200 years. USGS can easily provide good information to the possibility of flooding according to elevation. Also the US Forest Service can provide information about deforesting due to logging and/or fire threat to allow for an understanding of flooding to nearby communities. Also the US Army Corp is well equipped to address needed infrastructure projects to begin to protect citizens lives and THUS reduce costs of flood insurance.
To conduct legislation without proper input from these vital US agencies and conduct proper regulations is nothing but knee jerk politics and provides no improvement in the conditions our citizens face. FEMA is not a secondary mortgage company and can't be expected to save lives AFTER THE FACT.
I congratulate all the Senators for bringing this issue to the floor today, but, I implore them to do this well and be sure beyond any doubt citizens will be safe as well as insured.
Thank you so very much. You guys are great.
