Insurance problems mount for New Richland Family

Outside Tyler and Shelby Priebe’s house in New Richland, things still look normal. Inside, the home has been heavily damaged and the family of four has been left with an unlivable house.

The Priebes said they have talked with contractors, electricians and appliance workers about repairs. They said the cost to restore the home could reach $200 thousand.

“We’ve talked with contractors and electricians and appliance people and we’re talking 200 thousand dollars worth…just in, if we were to put it back to what it was,” Tyler Priebe said.

What is the problem?

New Richland is not designated on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood zone map, even though the town has flooded four times in the past 16 years. The Priebes said that has made flood insurance difficult to get.

“We’re not in a flood plain, so flood insurance i...