FEMA offering free flood insurance for those impacted by Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon fire

LAS VEGAS, N.M. (KRQE) – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is offering five years of flood insurance to locals and businesses, but the deadline to claim the offer is April 1, 2024.

The FEMA claims office will pay up to five years of flood insurance via the National Flood Insurance Program. Alternatively, the office can reimburse some people for flood insurance purchased from private insurers after the fire.

To receive the insurance, you need to meet certain eligibility qualifications. If you were required to have flood insurance before the fire occurred, you are not eligible for the FEMA flood coverage, FEMA says. FEMA says eligible claimants include:

• Households that were not required to carry flood insurance prior to the start of the fire on April 6, 2022.
• Properties located in NFIP-participating communities in Mora and San Miguel Counties.
• Properties outside of Mora and San Miguel Counties but in proximity to the burn scar may be eligible on a case-by-case basis to those who can demonstrate an increased risk of flooding.

To learn more about flood insurance offerings, you can call the claims office helpline at 505-995-7133. You can also send an email to fema-hermits-peak@fema.dhs.gov.

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