Latest payout data for Hurricane Helene from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) shows >96% of the $4.4B in "to-date" losses coming from Florida. Despite catastrophic inland flood damage, limited NFIP policy coverage means North Carolina accounts for just 3% of the event payout.
February 11, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Latest payout data for Hurricane Helene from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) shows >96% of the $4.4B in "to-date" losses coming from Florida. Despite catastrophic inland flood damage, limited NFIP policy coverage means North Carolina accounts for just 3% of the event payout.
We have a flood insurance problem in the US. Here's a look at county-level National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) take-up (left) and the total number of active NFIP policies (right).
76% of NFIP active policies are in coastal counties.
Florida, Texas, and Louisiana: 61% of all US NFIP policies
76% of NFIP active policies are in coastal counties.
Florida, Texas, and Louisiana: 61% of all US NFIP policies
August 18, 2025 at 8:42 PM
We have a flood insurance problem in the US. Here's a look at county-level National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) take-up (left) and the total number of active NFIP policies (right).
76% of NFIP active policies are in coastal counties.
Florida, Texas, and Louisiana: 61% of all US NFIP policies
76% of NFIP active policies are in coastal counties.
Florida, Texas, and Louisiana: 61% of all US NFIP policies
p154
The NFIP* should be wound down and replaced with private insurance
* National Flood Insurance Program
The NFIP* should be wound down and replaced with private insurance
* National Flood Insurance Program
August 7, 2024 at 5:25 AM
p154
The NFIP* should be wound down and replaced with private insurance
* National Flood Insurance Program
The NFIP* should be wound down and replaced with private insurance
* National Flood Insurance Program
Just 25 counties (parishes) account for nearly half of all active National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies.
Twenty. Five.
This statistic never ceases to be shocking.
Twenty. Five.
This statistic never ceases to be shocking.
December 12, 2024 at 9:17 PM
Just 25 counties (parishes) account for nearly half of all active National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies.
Twenty. Five.
This statistic never ceases to be shocking.
Twenty. Five.
This statistic never ceases to be shocking.
There was a recent study that suggests that the NFIP may actually induce population growth in flood-prone areas, in part b/c it buffers the true financial costs of persisting in these areas
NPR dug into the upside-down world of FEMA flood insurance in coastal areas, and found many homeowners have no financial choice but to let their homes collapse. n.pr/46qx6kr
Why people are leaving entire houses to fall into the ocean
NPR dug into the upside-down world of FEMA flood insurance in coastal areas, and found many homeowners have no financial choice but to let their homes collapse.
n.pr
September 18, 2026 at 4:09 PM
There was a recent study that suggests that the NFIP may actually induce population growth in flood-prone areas, in part b/c it buffers the true financial costs of persisting in these areas
It's very funny how long we've known the NFIP is fucked, and how little we've done about it
April 19, 2026 at 9:53 PM
It's very funny how long we've known the NFIP is fucked, and how little we've done about it
NFIP is a big moral hazard
March 28, 2026 at 11:51 PM
NFIP is a big moral hazard
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) payouts (losses) from Hurricane Helene have reached $3B and growing. Florida accounts for $2.9B (!) of this total.
This data confirms that extremely low NFIP take-up rates in inland areas means the vast majority of residential flood losses were uninsured.
This data confirms that extremely low NFIP take-up rates in inland areas means the vast majority of residential flood losses were uninsured.
January 6, 2025 at 4:34 PM
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) payouts (losses) from Hurricane Helene have reached $3B and growing. Florida accounts for $2.9B (!) of this total.
This data confirms that extremely low NFIP take-up rates in inland areas means the vast majority of residential flood losses were uninsured.
This data confirms that extremely low NFIP take-up rates in inland areas means the vast majority of residential flood losses were uninsured.
Insurance guy here: Perhaps save the country from the authoritarian takeover then maybe we can work on the NFIP.
August 26, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Insurance guy here: Perhaps save the country from the authoritarian takeover then maybe we can work on the NFIP.
Katrina became the catalyst for the two-decade debt issue plaguing the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Current debt? $22.5 billion.
The storm by itself still accounts for 20% of all NFIP payouts ever made. NFIP came out of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968.
(6/n)
The storm by itself still accounts for 20% of all NFIP payouts ever made. NFIP came out of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968.
(6/n)
August 29, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Katrina became the catalyst for the two-decade debt issue plaguing the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Current debt? $22.5 billion.
The storm by itself still accounts for 20% of all NFIP payouts ever made. NFIP came out of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968.
(6/n)
The storm by itself still accounts for 20% of all NFIP payouts ever made. NFIP came out of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968.
(6/n)
I love it when people's criticism of NFIP is that it is subsidizing the cost of flood insurance.
Yeah, man. That's literally the point of the program ???
Yeah, man. That's literally the point of the program ???
December 31, 2025 at 8:04 PM
I love it when people's criticism of NFIP is that it is subsidizing the cost of flood insurance.
Yeah, man. That's literally the point of the program ???
Yeah, man. That's literally the point of the program ???
Licensed flood insurance adjuster here! If Trump denied FEMA assistance after a hurricane it would result in a mass exodus from hurricane-prone red states. FEMA and the NFIP are the only reasons Florida has a real estate market
April 25, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Licensed flood insurance adjuster here! If Trump denied FEMA assistance after a hurricane it would result in a mass exodus from hurricane-prone red states. FEMA and the NFIP are the only reasons Florida has a real estate market
Verisk's $280-billion damage estimate for a Cat 4 Miami hurricane did not include losses that would be covered by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), nor damage to public infrastructure like roads, bridges, and utilities. Total economic damages would be far greater.
September 20, 2026 at 12:09 AM
Verisk's $280-billion damage estimate for a Cat 4 Miami hurricane did not include losses that would be covered by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), nor damage to public infrastructure like roads, bridges, and utilities. Total economic damages would be far greater.
Hurricane preparedness tip?
If you don't have flood insurance and want it ahead of peak season -- buy it now! There's a standard 30-day waiting period before NFIP policies activate.
FYI: NFIP take-up continues to decline, and this cannot be fully attributed to private market options coming online.
If you don't have flood insurance and want it ahead of peak season -- buy it now! There's a standard 30-day waiting period before NFIP policies activate.
FYI: NFIP take-up continues to decline, and this cannot be fully attributed to private market options coming online.
May 8, 2026 at 9:22 PM
Hurricane preparedness tip?
If you don't have flood insurance and want it ahead of peak season -- buy it now! There's a standard 30-day waiting period before NFIP policies activate.
FYI: NFIP take-up continues to decline, and this cannot be fully attributed to private market options coming online.
If you don't have flood insurance and want it ahead of peak season -- buy it now! There's a standard 30-day waiting period before NFIP policies activate.
FYI: NFIP take-up continues to decline, and this cannot be fully attributed to private market options coming online.
Repping this great graphic of NFIP uptake with #Helene set to hit tonight.
There is a very real risk of catastrophic coastal and inland flooding from #Debby. While coastal NFIP take-up is healthy in Florida / Georgia / South Carolina, it drops considerably once you go inland. A very large portion of water-related damage may go uninsured.
September 26, 2024 at 10:57 PM
Repping this great graphic of NFIP uptake with #Helene set to hit tonight.
The National Flood Insurance Program is in need of reform, and I’m proud to lead efforts to lower prices and increase access for New Jersey and communities across this country that rely on the NFIP. Please let us know what you think should be improved.
National Flood Insurance Program Request for Input | U.S. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey
The Official U.S. Senate website of Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey
www.booker.senate.gov
August 26, 2025 at 8:52 PM
The National Flood Insurance Program is in need of reform, and I’m proud to lead efforts to lower prices and increase access for New Jersey and communities across this country that rely on the NFIP. Please let us know what you think should be improved.
Sadly there will be a wide discrepancy in insured flood damage between Tampa / Fort Myers (FL) and the Big Bend (FL), GA, SC, NC, TN.
Translation: Few far inland properties have an NFIP policy and a lot of damage will be uninsured.
NFIP losses alone likely to be >$1B.
#Helene
Translation: Few far inland properties have an NFIP policy and a lot of damage will be uninsured.
NFIP losses alone likely to be >$1B.
#Helene
September 27, 2024 at 12:49 AM
Sadly there will be a wide discrepancy in insured flood damage between Tampa / Fort Myers (FL) and the Big Bend (FL), GA, SC, NC, TN.
Translation: Few far inland properties have an NFIP policy and a lot of damage will be uninsured.
NFIP losses alone likely to be >$1B.
#Helene
Translation: Few far inland properties have an NFIP policy and a lot of damage will be uninsured.
NFIP losses alone likely to be >$1B.
#Helene
Latest National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) take-up map by county. Data as of June 30, 2025.
National total of NFIP active policies is declining. The ongoing decline in Texas amid a population boom is concerning.
Much work to be done to overcome how few inland properties have flood insurance.
National total of NFIP active policies is declining. The ongoing decline in Texas amid a population boom is concerning.
Much work to be done to overcome how few inland properties have flood insurance.
July 17, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Latest National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) take-up map by county. Data as of June 30, 2025.
National total of NFIP active policies is declining. The ongoing decline in Texas amid a population boom is concerning.
Much work to be done to overcome how few inland properties have flood insurance.
National total of NFIP active policies is declining. The ongoing decline in Texas amid a population boom is concerning.
Much work to be done to overcome how few inland properties have flood insurance.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): At least 54,000 filed claims following Hurricane Helene. Already a Top 5 "NFIP filed claim" event on record.
Katrina (2005): 208,348
Sandy (2012): 144,848
Harvey (2017): 92,396
Ike (2008): 58,126
Helene (2024): 54,000*
Irene (2011): 52,493
Ian (2022): 48,721
Katrina (2005): 208,348
Sandy (2012): 144,848
Harvey (2017): 92,396
Ike (2008): 58,126
Helene (2024): 54,000*
Irene (2011): 52,493
Ian (2022): 48,721
October 28, 2024 at 5:06 PM
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): At least 54,000 filed claims following Hurricane Helene. Already a Top 5 "NFIP filed claim" event on record.
Katrina (2005): 208,348
Sandy (2012): 144,848
Harvey (2017): 92,396
Ike (2008): 58,126
Helene (2024): 54,000*
Irene (2011): 52,493
Ian (2022): 48,721
Katrina (2005): 208,348
Sandy (2012): 144,848
Harvey (2017): 92,396
Ike (2008): 58,126
Helene (2024): 54,000*
Irene (2011): 52,493
Ian (2022): 48,721
FEMA administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
January 29, 2025 at 7:48 AM
FEMA administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Also, NFIP runs out Sept 30. The housing and mortgage market Is gonna crash big time ,
September 26, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Also, NFIP runs out Sept 30. The housing and mortgage market Is gonna crash big time ,
Plus "this totally won't turn into the NFIP because we'll require it of everyone" doesn't work for me. NFIP is under enormous political pressure to keep rates low, and below their real rate (see: Risk Rating 2.0 lawsuits) - that would somehow be less if everyone had to pay? 5/
October 12, 2024 at 3:10 PM
Plus "this totally won't turn into the NFIP because we'll require it of everyone" doesn't work for me. NFIP is under enormous political pressure to keep rates low, and below their real rate (see: Risk Rating 2.0 lawsuits) - that would somehow be less if everyone had to pay? 5/
Texas continues to be one of the fastest growing states in the country. Yet 11% of communities have opted to pass on National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) protection.
Not great.
The US is not as prepared as it needs to be as extreme weather events accelerate.
ifrm.insurify.com/homeowners-i...
Not great.
The US is not as prepared as it needs to be as extreme weather events accelerate.
ifrm.insurify.com/homeowners-i...
11% of Texas Communities Pass on Federal Flood Insurance Protection | Insurify
135 Texas communities, all in identified flood hazard areas, don’t participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Property owners in these communities can’t buy federally backed flood ins...
ifrm.insurify.com
December 4, 2024 at 1:58 PM
Texas continues to be one of the fastest growing states in the country. Yet 11% of communities have opted to pass on National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) protection.
Not great.
The US is not as prepared as it needs to be as extreme weather events accelerate.
ifrm.insurify.com/homeowners-i...
Not great.
The US is not as prepared as it needs to be as extreme weather events accelerate.
ifrm.insurify.com/homeowners-i...
FDR founded the nonprofit Georgia Warm Springs Foundation in 1926 on the site of springs he visited because of the therapeutic effects of the water. He reformed the charity as NFIP to help victims through physical rehabilitation and fund research for a polio vaccine. /4
January 4, 2025 at 1:54 AM
FDR founded the nonprofit Georgia Warm Springs Foundation in 1926 on the site of springs he visited because of the therapeutic effects of the water. He reformed the charity as NFIP to help victims through physical rehabilitation and fund research for a polio vaccine. /4
The careful, good faith effort undertaken after years of negotiation to make NFIP rates reflect actual risk is Risk Rating 2.0.
It is *far* from perfect, but it is the difference between reform and a blowtorch.
It is *far* from perfect, but it is the difference between reform and a blowtorch.
NFIP’s Pricing Approach
FEMA is updating the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) risk rating methodology through the implementation of a new pricing methodology called Risk Rating 2.0. The methodology leverages industr...
www.fema.gov
June 18, 2025 at 3:15 AM
The careful, good faith effort undertaken after years of negotiation to make NFIP rates reflect actual risk is Risk Rating 2.0.
It is *far* from perfect, but it is the difference between reform and a blowtorch.
It is *far* from perfect, but it is the difference between reform and a blowtorch.