Congress averts NFIP lapse ahead of severe El Niño; reform deferred

Congress passed a short-term extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) just before a forecast 'Godzilla' El Niño is set to increase flood risk. The reprieve prevents a lapse in coverage, but the program's structural debt and outdated risk models remain unaddressed. The timing raises exposure to flood-related losses and fiscal strain if the El Niño materializes as forecast.