It?s hurricane season again.
With all of our technological advancement, we cannot stop storms.
And we cannot stop storms from flooding and destroying our homes and offices and sometimes from killing people.
To prevent disasters our ancestors shunned the coastlines for more protected areas when building.
We ignore their good sense, preferring to live close to the beach or riverbank for the view and lifestyle.
People who choose to build in those areas, like motorcyclists who do not wear helmets, ask we the people to subsidize their lifestyle through insurance premiums.
That must stop.
The National Flood Insurance Program, which provides coverage for those living in flood-prone areas, could spend more than $23 billion to pay flood claims for 2005 losses, compared to the $2.1 billion it collected in premiums in that time period.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which oversees the flood program, the government has paid $32 billion “total ? in flood claims since 1978.
Of that money, Maryland has received $226 million.
Guess who pays for the difference when premiums don?t cover losses?
And guess who subsidizes those who repeatedly file claims? Taxpayers.
FEMA estimates that phasing out subsidies to vacation homes, second homes and businesses would save taxpayers about $335 million each year.
Another issue is people who let their policies lapse or those who never held them who expect the government to pay for their losses.
That is ridiculous.
Owners must bear the full weight of the risk when building in flood-prone areas, not taxpayers.
Changing federal law to require homeowners to bear the full cost of subsidies is a good start.
Locally, Gov. Robert Ehrlich could help taxpayers by making sure that flood maps accurately reflect flood-prone zones.
He must also instruct the Maryland Insurance Administration Commissioner R. Steven Orr to force homeowners in those areas to purchase flood insurance or face fines greater than the cost of a policy.
The governor says he is proud of running a lean administration.
Making those who live in flood prone areas pay their fair share in insurance premiums would show he cares about reducing waste.
