Flooded New York Homeowners Regret Dropping Insurance

Some western New York residents whose homes were damaged by a snow-swollen river this month had only recently cancelled their federal flood insurance policies because of rate increases.

About 70 houses in West Seneca, just outside Buffalo, flooded when a Jan. 11 thaw that pushed the Buffalo Creek over its banks.

One, victim, Jonny Robbins, tells The Buffalo News he dropped his insurance four months ago after revised Federal Emergency Management Agency flood maps downgraded the risk to his property.

Now, the retired teacher is dealing with a partly collapsed foundation.

Homeowner Norma Gasz says she had flood insurance for decades, but dropped it when the price went up.

The National Flood Insurance Program began recalibrating its rates after paying out billions of dollars due to Hurricane Katrina.