› In Hamilton County, fewer are insured for flooding,

The number of flood insurance policies written in Hamilton County has dropped by 9.7 percent in the past five years and fewer than one in five homes in hazardous flood zones are insured for floods, according to an Associated Press analysis of federal flood insurance data.

Among 7,333 Hamilton County homes in hazardous flood areas, only 9.7 percent were in the National Flood Insurance program. Among all homes in Hamilton County, only 1.4 percent were covered.

Fewer homeowners may be signing up for flood insurance, in part, because of higher rates since the federal program was revamped to try to cover more of its expenses and limit taxpayer costs. The rates for flood insurance in Hamilton County, on average, rose by 17.1 percent from $826 in 2012 to $967 in 2017.

Even with most Chattanooga homes in potential flood areas not in the flood insurance program, the rate of participation in Hamilton County was the highest in the region.

Across the Chattanooga region, only three counties — Sequatchie and Meigs in Southeast Tennessee and Dade County in Northwest Georgia — increased the number of homes with flood insurance in the past five years. Those rural counties are enjoying growth along river and lakefront areas which are more prone to flooding. But fewer than one in 10 homes in hazardous flood areas of those counties are now covered by flood insurance, even with the recent increase in policies. Bradley County saw an 11.3 percent decrease in flood insurance policies. The average premium in 2017 was $1,082, up from $853 in 2012. Of an estimated 1,389 homes in hazardous flood zones, 12.3 percent are covered by the National Flood Insurance program.

Marion County saw a 1.6 percent decrease in flood insurance policies. The average premium in 2017 was $1,114, up from $947 in 2012. Of an estimated 909 homes in hazardous flood zones, 9.9 percent are covered under the National Flood Insurance Program.

Rhea County saw a 15.6 percent decrease in flood insurance policies. The average premium in 2017 was $951, up from $757 in 2012. Of an estimated 1,221 homes in hazardous flood zones, 9 percent are covered under the National Flood Insurance Program.

Meigs County saw a 16.7 percent increase in flood insurance policies. The average premium in 2017 was $943, up from $772 in 2012. Of an estimated 241 homes in hazardous flood zones, 0.5 percent are covered under the National Flood Insurance Program.

Sequatchie County saw a 4.6 percent increase in flood insurance policies. The average premium in 2017 was $862, up from $601 in 2012. Of an estimated 333 homes in hazardous flood zones, 9.6 percent are covered.

Catoosa County, Ga., saw a 4.5 percent decrease in flood insurance policies. The average premium in 2017 was $784, up from $746 in 2012. Of an estimated 1,554 homes in hazardous flood zones, 14.9 percent are covered under the National Flood Insurance Program.

Walker County, Ga., saw a 20.8 percent decrease in flood insurance policies. The average premium in 2017 was $1,009, up from $815 in 2012. Of an estimated 1,391 homes in hazardous flood zones, 10 percent are covered under the National Flood Insurance Program.

Dade County, Ga., saw a 10 percent increase in flood insurance policies. The average premium in 2017 was $984, up from $892 in 2012. Of an estimated 370 homes in hazardous flood zones, 6.1 percent are covered under the National Flood Insurance Program.

Whitfield County, Ga., saw a 13.1 percent decrease in flood insurance policies. The average premium in 2017 was $1,318, up from $1,112 in 2012. Of an estimated 1,270 homes in hazardous flood zones, 7.2 percent are covered under the National Flood Insurance Program.