Contact: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Federal flood insurance now available in town of Ellendale

DOVER (April 28, 2011) – The town of Ellendale is now a participating community in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program. Through the town’s efforts to secure participation in the program, flood insurance is now available to Ellendale property owners. FEMA, through its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, approved the town’s application to participate in the program earlier this month. 

FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps indicate where the floodplain boundaries are located and the areas of greatest flood risk. Delaware residents can view the maps on the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s website at: http://maps.dnrec.delaware.gov/navmap/.

Institutional lenders require borrowers whose properties are located in a designated Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) to purchase flood insurance as a condition of receiving a federally-backed mortgage loan in accordance with the Federal Disaster Protection Act of 1973. Property owners not located within an SFHA can voluntarily purchase flood insurance from any agent or broker licensed to do business in the Delaware. (Ellendale does not have any land within the SFHA.) There is generally a 30-day waiting period before a newly-purchased flood insurance policy goes into effect. Please contact your insurance company for any exceptions to this policy.

Residents of the Town of Ellendale will be able to purchase flood insurance up to the limits under the Regular Phase of the program. For single family dwellings, the standard policy building coverage limit is $250,000, and the contents coverage limit is $100,000.

FEMA administrates National Flood Insurance Program, which offers more than 5.5 million flood insurance policies in more than 21,000 participating communities nationwide. 

Vol. 41, No. 171