Federal Flood Insurance Premium Hikes Impacting Thousands Locally

Courtney Homenchak of Dickson City says her flood insurance premiums will double if a Federal Law goes into effect as planned this year- Homenchak said- "I don't think it is fair to have our rates go up this much without a reasonable explanation as to why!"-The Biggert-Waters Act of 2012 is supposed to keep the National Flood Insurance Program financially solvent-FEMA coordinates the program- It turns out that Biggert-Waters could hurt the people it was supposed to help by increasing rates and fees-- Homenchak added, "We don't even see flooding here and a new drainage project nearby should mean lower fees not higher ones-" State Representative Kevin Haggerty (D) Lackawanna County introduced a resolution urging Federal lawmakers to delay Biggert-Waters--- Haggety said, "This will be devastating to so many people in our area--I get calls everyday about this"---  Congressman Lou Barletta (R) 11th District said,  "We need to lesson the impact of natural disasters not just help with the cost of flood insurance policies--"    Senator Bob Casey is also pushing for changes in the way FEMA determines insurance premiums as well a how flood zone areas are determined---