The National Flood Insurance Program expired Feb. 28, although the expiration is expected to be brief.

The U.S. Senate ended its session Feb.26 without acting on a measure to extend the flood insurance program that the U.S. House of Representatives passed by voice vote Feb. 25.

The Senate reconvenes in the afternoon today (March 1), at which time it could act on the House bill, giving the program an extension to March 28.

The flood insurance program, which provides flood insurance to property owners in areas prone to flooding that commercial insurers refuse to insure, has been the subject of a number of extensions, with four alone in 2009.

The latest extension is tied to a bill extending COBRA benefits and several other federal programs. But Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) objected to the $10 billion cost of the bill, slowing what most experts suggest will be eventual passage in the Senate.

When it does pass, it is expected to be retroactive, meaning no lapse in NFIP coverage for property owners.