National flood insurance program on hold during government shutdown

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The government shutdown could soon hit home for Rio Grande Valley residents, literally where they live. The National Flood Insurance Program is unable to write new policies or renew existing ones while the government is shut down.

Current policyholders will still receive payment if the area experiences a severe rain event. The only current restrictions are on new businesses. Minerva Simpson, Co-Branch Manager at Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, said the policies can not be issued because 'The staff at the department are most likely not going to be there, so there’s no one there to be able to process those requests.'

Simpson's company is part of a national company with an office in Harlingen. She says the national office has been monitoring the