Letter to Hon. Deanne Criswell, FEMA Administrator - Lack of Transparency Regarding Risk Rating 2.0 Rollout

Letter

Dear Administrator Criswell:

"I write to you regarding my serious concerns with the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) implementation and lack of transparency surrounding Risk Rating 2.0. Given the severe and expansive impacts that Risk Rating 2.0 will have on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and its policyholders, it is unconscionable that your agency has refused my request for a meeting between NFIP leadership and some of Louisiana's most knowledgeable flood protection officials. Policyholders need more information on FEMA's methodologies under Risk Rating 2.0, and this information should be widely available given its significant and potentially unsustainable impacts throughout the country.

"FEMA's refusal to meet with local flood protection experts is disturbing and only exposes further transparency issues with the ongoing implementation of Risk Rating 2.0. I strongly urge FEMA to reevaluate its decision to continue its misinformation campaign and begin to be transparent with Congress, flood protection experts, and policyholders across this country who still have serious questions regarding Risk Rating 2.0.

"As implementation of Risk Rating 2.0 has already begun, I have heard from families in my district who will face dramatic premium increases that are just untenable. Since implementation for existing policies under Risk Rating 2.0 will not occur until April 1, 2022, we expect that the concerns we have heard to date will only be echoed by millions more families in the coming months since 80 percent of Louisiana policyholders and 77 percent of policyholders nationally will see premium increases under Risk Rating 2.0. I am increasingly concerned that families across this country could drop their flood insurance, or in some cases even lose their homes, due to the unjustified and unaffordable cost of flood insurance under Risk Rating 2.0 despite communities' efforts to mitigate and protect against future flooding, placing the viability of NFIP in jeopardy.

"I have discussed these concerns with the people in South Louisiana who are experts on flood protection and mitigation, including levee protection, home elevations, and coastal restoration, and it is increasingly frustrating and disappointing that there is still inadequate and insufficient information on how these protection efforts will be recognized under Risk Rating 2.0. People should be rewarded, not penalized, for taking lifesaving measures to mitigate and protect against future floods. Moreover, an unwillingness to meet with the very people whose job it is to provide protection for families and communities is unacceptable.

"Louisiana families and families across our nation should not be left holding the bill for FEMA's inability to be transparent about the very system it is already implementing. This is causing tremendous harm to families, and I urge your agency to take immediate action to provide much needed transparency regarding Risk Rating 2.0 methodology, including how mitigation measures are taken into account, and how individual risk is calculated under this new NFIP rating structure. The American people deserve better, and I eagerly await your response."

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