Keating Statement on Enactment of New Flood Insurance Law

Press Release

Today, the President signed into law the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, which provides much needed relief on flood insurance premiums for homeowners and small businesses. Congressman Bill Keating included a key provision in the law to address the issue of incorrect flood zone maps that is currently affecting the Commonwealth. The Keating Provision requires FEMA to certify that future flood zone maps are drawn using the most up-to-date, accurate science available.

"Homeowners and small businesses deserve the relief this bill provides," said Congressman Keating. "Far too many residents were staring down tens of thousands of dollars in increases to their premiums. That is totally unacceptable. I am pleased the Keating Provision was included and signed into law. It will guarantee that communities' maps are drawn with methodology that is appropriate for their region, ensuring that flood insurance premiums will be fair and accurate. I now expect FEMA to rectify the incorrect Massachusetts maps based on their recent approval of Rockport's appeal and delay of the Plymouth County maps."

Residents up and down the coast of Massachusetts have seen marked increases in their rates and many residents formerly not mapped into a flood zone have since been included. In response, Congressman Keating, a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, requested an independent review of the maps by a scientist and engineer affiliated with UMass Dartmouth's School of Marine Science and Technology and Applied Coastal Research and Engineering, respectively. The review was conducted by Dr. Brian Howes and Mr. John Ramsey and specifically used the Town of Marshfield as a test case. Their findings, detailed in a White Paper, indicated that FEMA applied an inappropriate methodology for our region when establishing the new flood zone maps. The methodology employed used the Pacific Coast model, which does not truly reflect flooding found on the Atlantic Coastline in New England.

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