The partial federal government shutdown continues, and one federal agency affected is the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is neither issuing new flood insurance policies nor renewing existing ones.FEMA notified insurers Wednesday that the agency would not be able to sell or renew flood insurance policies under the National Flood Insurance Program because of the government shutdown. Insurers can still pay claims on existing policies.Leaders in Louisiana said the move should be of concern to residents and officials because of the importance of the National Flood Insurance Program for the state."The real life consequences of the federal government shutdown continues to grow with each passing day," Gov. John Bel Edwards in a statement.Edwards is calling on Congress and President Donald Trump to work in a bipartisan manner to end the government shutdown.FEMA's decision comes as much of the state is weathering storms and rain Thursday."Today, Louisiana is being inundated by torrential downpours which makes FEMA's decision to disallow the renewal or issuing of new policies through the National Flood Insurance Program a real concern to thousands of families in our state," Edwards said.Edwards' administration said Louisiana has more than 500,000 homeowners who depend on a National Flood Insurance Program policy. Of the homeowners, at least 40,00 policies renew monthly, but cannot right now because of the shutdown.The shutdown is also affecting some of FEMA's other work, including its ability to update its website. The last time the FEMA website was updated was Friday, according to the agency.Keep up with local news, weather and current events with the WDSU app here. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news right in your inbox. Click here to sign up!

The partial federal government shutdown continues, and one federal agency affected is the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is neither issuing new flood insurance policies nor renewing existing ones.

FEMA notified insurers Wednesday that the agency would not be able to sell or renew flood insurance policies under the National Flood Insurance Program because of the government shutdown. Insurers can still pay claims on existing policies.


Leaders in Louisiana said the move should be of concern to residents and officials because of the importance of the National Flood Insurance Program for the state.

"The real life consequences of the federal government shutdown continues to grow with each passing day," Gov. John Bel Edwards in a statement.

Edwards is calling on Congress and President Donald Trump to work in a bipartisan manner to end the government shutdown.

FEMA's decision comes as much of the state is weathering storms and rain Thursday.

"Today, Louisiana is being inundated by torrential downpours which makes FEMA's decision to disallow the renewal or issuing of new policies through the National Flood Insurance Program a real concern to thousands of families in our state," Edwards said.

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Edwards' administration said Louisiana has more than 500,000 homeowners who depend on a National Flood Insurance Program policy. Of the homeowners, at least 40,00 policies renew monthly, but cannot right now because of the shutdown.

The shutdown is also affecting some of FEMA's other work, including its ability to update its website. The last time the FEMA website was updated was Friday, according to the agency.

Keep up with local news, weather and current events with the WDSU app here. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news right in your inbox. Click here to sign up!