FEMA Agrees to Fargo, North Dakota, Flood Insurance Basement Exemption

January 25, 2015

Fargo, N.D’s acting mayor says the Federal Emergency Management Agency has moved to continue to allow homeowners to have basements in the city’s new floodplain.

FEMA is responsible for the National Home Insurance Program and does not always allow basements in homes that are within a floodplain. Fargo has been exempted from the ban for decades, but a new recently issued floodplain map required a renewal of that exemption.

KFGO-AM reports the exemption has allowed homeowners in the floodplain who have flood-proofed basements to keep their flood insurance premiums low. City leaders say premiums could have increased to up to $12,000 per household if the exemption hadn’t been renewed.

Acting Mayor Tim Mahoney says the renewal came after a “big fight” between city officials and FEMA.

Topics Flood

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