Source: Facebook.com
Local residents could soon have more transparency about a property’s flood risk under legislation reintroduced in Congress.
U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean (PA-04) and Andrew Garbarino (NY-02) have reintroduced The Flood History Information Act, which aims to ensure that potential buyers and renters can access a home’s flood history before making a purchase.
The bipartisan bill, previously introduced in the 117th and 118th Congresses, responds to concerns that many buyers do not learn about past flooding until after they move in. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, 23 states still do not require sellers to disclose whether a property has previously flooded. Nationwide, urban flooding events have occurred roughly once every 2 to 3 days over the past 25 years, costing U.S. taxpayers more than $850 billion since 2000 and accounting for two-thirds of all natural disaster costs.
“As the climate crisis exacerbates the intensity and frequency of severe weather, home buyers deserve to know the full extent of a property’s flood history, potential risk, and need for flood insurance,” Rep. Dean said. “Hurricane Ida ravaged parts of my district, devastating and displacing families. And as communities everywhere confront the aftermath of natural disasters, transparency is crucial. I’m grateful for Congressman Garbarino’s continued partnership on this bipartisan bill.”
If passed, the bill would require FEMA to provide information about whether a property owner would need flood insurance due to past federal disaster assistance, as well as the number and dollar value of previous flood insurance claims. The legislation applies to properties under the National Flood Insurance Program and private insurers participating in FEMA’s data-sharing system. Buyers and current owners would not pay fees to access the information.
The bill has received support from the National Association of REALTORS®, which noted that the legislation would allow flood claim history to be shared directly with prospective buyers and renters, helping them make informed decisions, especially in high-risk areas.
In 2024 alone, flood events caused more than $8 billion in damage to homes and businesses nationwide, including nearly $3.9 billion in areas not traditionally considered high risk, according to Flood Smart.
Rep. Garbarino added, “Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions people make, and they deserve accurate information before they commit. Too often, buyers don’t learn about a property’s flooding history until after the purchase, when the costs and risks become unavoidable. This bipartisan bill is about transparency, so people can make informed decisions and better understand their flood risk before it’s too late. I’m proud to work with Congresswoman Dean to bring more common sense and certainty to the flood insurance process.”
