COMMISSIONER CAUSEY JOINS GOV. STEIN IN LETTER TO CONGRESS SUPPORTING KEY CHANGE TO FEDERAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR COASTAL HOMEOWNERS

The following information was released by the North Carolina Department of Insurance:

North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has joined Gov. Josh Stein in urging Congress to pass bipartisan legislation that would spur proactive solutions for coastal houses in danger of falling into the ocean.

The Preventing Environmental Hazards Act of 2025, also known as H.R. 3161, introduced by North Carolina Congressman Greg Murphy, would authorize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to offer pre-collapse coverage so that homeowners could demolish or relocate condemned structures before they fall into the ocean.

"Since 2020, 27 oceanfront houses have collapsed into the ocean on North Carolina's Outer Banks, including 16 houses just since this September. When these houses collapse, it isn't just a tragedy for the homeowners. The destroyed houses also spread debris for miles and risk people's safety on our beaches," Gov. Stein and Commissioner Causey state in the letter. "We respectfully urge the House Financial Services Committee to advance and Congress to pass H.R. 3161. The State stands ready to work with you to protect coastal communities, taxpayers, and our treasured Outer Banks."

Commissioner Causey commented: "I call on Congress to take up Congressman Murphy's bill to get much needed help to the residents and homeowners of Buxton and Hatteras Island as quickly as possible. Also, I wish to thank Gov. Stein and Rep. Murphy for their leadership on this important matter. For those business owners, workers and residents of this barrier island, this is a crisis they're living with daily."