Using policy to communicate weather and climate risk: Reforms of the National Flood Insurance Program

In discussions about natural hazards resilience and climate change adaptation, issues related to the management of flooding have been both prominent and controversial. This presentation will highlight a portion of this conversation, specifically, federal policy for insuring against flood risk through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Central to the challenges faced by the program is a conflict between policy-makers' desire to use the NFIP to accurately communicate about flood risk, the need to consider environmental harm, and the need to maintain the stability of the U.S. housing market. Recent reforms to flood insurance legislation, current lawsuits, and pending changes to the program will be highlighted.