CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Flooding in the gulf is concerning residents about flooding in the Carolinas.
There is a chance people who live in the biggest danger spots may have a harder time getting flood insurance soon.
About 6,000 Mecklenburg County residents live in floodplains.
Michelle Lea lives about 100 yards from Briar Creek. She has flood insurance.
"I think that it's absolutely necessary that we're able to get it and that it covers a significant amount," Lea said.
Regular insurance companies don't typically cover flooding.
That's why there's federal flood insurance.
But that program is set to expire the end of next month and there's no telling if Congress will renew it.
The National Association of Realtors has an online petition, calling the insurance program “vital” and urging Congress to renew it and even add features.
While Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services won't take sides politically, it wants to make sure people can get flood coverage.
When Action 9 investigator Jason Stoogenke asked Water Services employee Mark Boone what happens to people if they don't have flood insurance and big storm hits.
“You lose everything," Boone said.
Critics of the insurance program say it's expensive (the program owes $25 billion to the U.S. Treasury), tax dollars shouldn't go for flood-prone homes, and the feds shouldn't be in the flood insurance business.
Cox Media Group
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