Unless members of Congress take action, authority for the National Flood Insurance Program will expire July 31.
 
We can't let that happen. While NFIP isn't a household name, it is a critical tool to help protect homeowners and ensure access to affordable flood insurance across the country.

In fact, as flood insurance is required for a mortgage in 22,000 separate communities, a prolonged lapse in authority could jeopardize the sale of up to 40,000 homes per month in the United States.
 
This isn't just an issue for waterfront homes, either. Flooding events can impact Americans living along streams, lakes, rivers, oceans or just about anywhere snow melts or rain falls.
 
In total, floods have claimed more lives and property than any other natural disaster over the past century.
 
Last year's Atlantic hurricane season is a constant and dramatic reminder of the devastation threatening tens of millions of Americans between June 1 and Halloween every year. American homeowners deserve a flood insurance program that is solvent, effective and able to continue providing protections for decades to come.
 
Members of the Silver City Regional Association of Realtors in Grant County know this is important. After all, if flood insurance isn't available, we're the ones who may have to tell clients that the home of their dreams is off the table until the NFIP is extended.
 
Consumers deserve better.
 
The country has been here before, and we know what happens if the National Flood Insurance Program expires. Homebuying activity grinds to a halt, to the tune of 40,000 lost or interrupted sales every month.
 
Congressman Steve Pearce should put his support behind NFIP reauthorization and the 22,000 communities counting on Congress to get the job done.
 
Cissy McAndrew, President
 
Silver City Regional Association of Realtors