Delaware Town Faces Flood Insurance Suspension

Federal Emergency Management Agency says more than 100 Bowers Beach property owners may have to pay more for flood insurance and could lose coverage if the Delaware town doesn’t fix longstanding deficiencies in its program.

FEMA announced Thursday that the Kent County town will be placed on probation Nov. 21 and suspended from the National Flood Insurance Program six months later if deficiencies found in 2010 remain. Officials say despite offers of assistance, the town inside a 100-year floodplain, still hasn’t met minimum requirements.

FEMA says problems include failures to follow floodplain requirements for some buildings, document development and take enforcement action.

Residents would have to pay a $50 surcharge when buying or renewing coverage during the probationary period, but if coverage is suspended, most federal assistance won’t be unavailable.