Time to brace for flood insurance rate hikes

There has been significant press coverage lately, both locally and nationally, regarding flood hazards. The Oso landslide reminds us that catastrophic events are usually infrequent, often unexpected in the moment they occur but predictable.

While it has been decades since there has been significant local flooding, it’s important to note that 70 percent of La Conner is in the Skagit River 100-year floodplain.

All of this sets the stage for recent changes to the National Flood Insurance Program administered by FEMA. Residents are likely to see those changes reflected in premiums they pay for flo...