About 50 Wisconsin communities have dropped out of the federal flood insurance program. However, Eau Claire is part of the program, and in fact receives a ten percent discount on its insurance premiums
because of past work and prevention efforts about local flooding.

However, Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesman Philip Clark says no coverage means residents in Lake Delton and some other areas flooded this week will not be eligible for federal disaster assistance even if a federal disaster is declared.

But Wisconsin Emergency Management hazard mitigation officer Roxanne Gray says the communities can petition to rejoin the program within six months after a federal disaster declaration is made.

She says they can file claims for damage already suffered if they meet that deadline.

National Association of State Floodplain Managers executive director Larry Larson says about one in 10 communities opts out of the federal flood insurance program.