NFIP Payouts to Matthew Victims Top $162M

The National Flood Insurance Program has paid out more than $162 million to victims in the five-state area hit by Hurricane Matthew–Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said in a news release Dec. 2.

Matthew hit the Southeast in October causing extensive damage and widespread flooding. Some 20,751 claims were filed across the five states stemming from the storm event, with $64.4 million in advance payments made.

North Carolina saw the most flood damage from rising rivers after Matthew dumped more than a foot of rain on the eastern part of the state.

As of Nov. 21, FEMA had received more than 5,600 claims from Matthew and paid more than $32.7 million to NFIP policyholders in North Carolina. More than 73,000 people in 45 North Carolina counties had contacted the agency for information or assistance and more than $152 million had been approved in federal grants, loans, and flood insurance payments to those affected by the flooding.

FEMA extended the deadline to file a Proof of Loss for North Carolina policyholders who suffered flood damage to their property. The normal 60-day deadline for the required form was extended to 120 days from the date floodwaters first invaded the home or business.

In Georgia, payouts to Hurricane Matthew disaster survivors totaled more than $6.5 million in paid claims.

Georgians have filed 1,054 claims with the program as of close of business Nov. 30. More than $2.5 million in advance or partial payments of the $6.5 million was expedited to disaster survivors in the state immediately following the storm.

More than eight out of every 10 claims for assistance for Hurricane Matthew damage in Georgia (82 percent) involved wind damage, which is usually covered by private homeowner’s insurance. Flood damage usually is not.

In Florida, 5,211 flood claims were filed as of Dec. 1. The NFIP has paid more than $38.4 million to 6,610 policyholders in South Carolina as of Dec. 7.