The town of

Brooks has joined more than 19,000 communities nationwide as a participant

in the National Flood Insurance Program.

Property owners

in the town are allowed to purchase federally backed flood insurance.

This availability follows Brooks' adoption and enforcement of ordinances

to reduce flood losses and acceptance by the NFIP.

Residents of

the town will now be able to purchase flood insurance up to the limits

under the regular phase of the program. For single family homes this limit

is $250,000 and $100,000 for contents.

The NFIP is

implemented through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is a self-supporting

program requiring no taxpayer support to pay claims and operation expenses.

"We are

very pleased," said town Mayor Bobby Butler, "to offer this

opportunity to our citizens. We are fortunate to have a fine group of

residents and we feel this will encourage even more people to want to

live here."