evidence: Flood insurance is available to anyone living in one of the almost 23,000 participating NFIP communities. Homes and businesses in high-risk flood areas with mortgages from government-backed lenders are required to have flood insurance. [...] FEMA retains responsibility for underwriting flood insurance coverage sold under that program and by the NFIP Direct. There are more than five million policyholders nationwide and the NFIP is the nation’s largest single-line insurance program providing nearly $1.3 trillion in coverage against flood. [...] Congress established the NFIP on August 1, 1968, with the passage of the National Flood Insurance Act (NFIA) of 1968, which has been modified over the years.