The Kalona City Council made a decision on the City’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program this week. At Monday’s meeting the Council voted 4 to 1 to join the National Flood Insurance Program or NFIP.
City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh shares residents will be able to purchase insurance through the program before the FEMA maps become effective on January 16th of next year. He says affected residents can use any insurance provider that can write a flood policy.
If homeowners choose not to get the insurance, they’ll be entitled to less federal disaster funds through FEMA. Schlaubaugh adds houses located in high risk areas that are not covered will not be eligible for federally backed mortgages.