10 States Take Legal Action Against FEMA Over Flood Insurance Rate Hikes

Ten US states and dozens of municipalities are suing FEMA over rate hikes in the National Flood Insurance Program, which offers coverage in high-risk flood areas. The lawsuit seeks to block the higher premiums resulting from FEMA's new Risk Rating 2.0 pricing plan, which went into effect in April and will result in rate increases that will average more than 100% in coastal states like Louisiana and Florida. The plaintiffs argue that FEMA is not properly taking into account community flood mitigation efforts and has exceeded its authority.