WASHINGTON, May 13 (Reuters) - The Obama administration opposes adding wind-damage coverage to the national flood insurance program, according to a letter written by a senior administration official and obtained by Reuters on Wednesday. The letter represents a potential turning point in a long-running debate about the federal flood insurance program. Reform legislation stalled in Congress last year in a dispute over the wind-damage coverage issue. The letter from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano to Representative Barney Frank, chairman of the House of Representatives Financial Services Committee, said the administration "strongly opposes" portions of a House bill approved last year that would have added wind coverage to the program. (Reporting by Kevin Drawbaugh, Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
An aerial view of flooded area near Mearim river in Bacabal, in the northeastern state of Maranhao May 13, 2009. Floods and mudslides from months of heavy rains in northern Brazil ...
