COUNTY FACES FLOOD INSURANCE PROBATION

STE. GENEVIEVE -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency will place Ste. Genevieve County on probation from the National Flood Insurance Program unless the county corrects deficiencies in its flood plain management program by April 22.

FEMA officials said Friday that the county's flood plain program is deficient and there have been serious violations of the local flood-damage prevention ordinance.

Inadequate enforcement of the law has resulted in unauthorized fill activity within the upper Mississippi River floodway, FEMA officials said.

The probation won't affect the availability of flood insurance to county residents. However, a $50 surcharge will be added to the premium for each new or renewed flood insurance policy sold in the county for at least one year, beginning April 22.

Flood insurance policies that currently provide more than $1 million in coverage would be affected by the probation.

Since 1978, $540,157 has been paid for 51 flood insurance losses in the county.

If county officials don't correct the problem during the probation period, the county will be suspended from the flood insurance program, FEMA officials said.

In that case, flood insurance would no longer be available and federal agencies would be barred from making grants, loans or guarantees for properties in flood-hazard areas.