Call To Action: Businesses Need To Prepare Now For The Risk Of Damaging Floods
Release Date: July 10, 2006
Release Number: 1642-021
» More Information on Massachusetts Severe Storms and Flooding
ANDOVER, Mass. -- Business owners are urged to prepare their businesses for flood risks associated with what has already been another very active storm season. R. David Paulison, Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, urges business owners to take steps now to protect their property against flooding. Adequate insurance is one of the best ways to do that. There is typically a 30-day wait before a flood insurance policy takes effect.
Businesses can learn more about flood insurance flood risk by visiting www.FloodSmart.gov or calling 1-800-427-2419.
Scientists predict that warmer waters in the Atlantic will continue to cause even stronger hurricanes, and that those storms will likely affect not only the Gulf Coast and Mid-Atlantic areas, but states in the Northeast and Midwest, as well. In 2006 alone, flooding caused by severe storms and heavy rains has already caused damage to several businesses throughout New England.
The National Flood Insurance Program offers the following suggestions to make your business FloodSmart before the storm hits:
- There is a 30-day waiting period to get flood insurance. Learn your risk and act now.
- Call your insurance agent to make sure that your flood insurance policy is up to date.
- Inventory and photograph the property in your office.
- Store important documents in a safe, elevated, and waterproof space.
- Plan for a secondary location in advance so you can stay in business without shutting your doors.
- Create an emergency communications plan so all employees are accounted for and know what to do.
Flood insurance is affordable and available through nearly 100 insurance companies in more than 21,000 participating communities nationwide. To learn more about your flooding risk and how to protect yourself and your business, visit the NFIP Web site, www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-800-427-2419.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 06-Dec-2006 09:26:29