US Congress approved and President Barack Obama signed July 6 into law the Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2012, which includes reauthorization of the federal National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that will benefit American Samoa.

Congressman Faleomavaega Eni said this measure extends the NFIP through Sept. 30, 2017 and program helps more than 461 households and businesses in American Samoa.

“As an isolated small island Territory in the middle of the vast South Pacific Ocean, we are constantly reminded of our vulnerability against hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural hazards,” he said in a news release yesterday. “The NFIP program underscores federal commitment to ensure that the people of American Samoa are safe and their properties are insured in the event of flooding.”

“Therefore, I am pleased that despite the current political climate in Washington DC, Congress was able to extend this critical program for the next five years.” he added.