Flood Safety: Be Aware, Be Prepared

Flood Safety Awareness Week is an excellent opportunity for all Americans to become more educated about the dangers that flooding can cause and what steps to take to be prepared for the risk of flooding.

All floods are not alike, though. Some develop slowly during an extended period of rain or during a warming trend after a heavy snow. Others, such as flash floods and severe weather, can occur very rapidly, without warning or even any visible signs of rain. That’s why it’s critical to be prepared for flooding no matter where you live.

Don’t be caught off guard. Get the facts. Know the risks. Take action to protect yourself, your family, your business, and your finances—before a weather event occurs and it’s too late.

One of the most critical ways you can protect your home or business and its contents from flooding – the nation’s most common and costly natural disaster - is to purchase flood insurance. It only takes a few inches of water in a home or business to cause thousands of dollars of damage. The time to get protected is now. Between 2006 and 2010, the average flood claim was nearly $34,000. Take a moment to think about that -- it’s more than many survivors can afford to pay out of pocket for damages due to flooding. While no one wants a flood to impact them, with federally backed flood insurance, you have an important financial safety net to help cover costs to repair or rebuild if a flood should strike.
Most standard homeowner policies do not cover flood insurance. Remember, it typically takes 30 days for a new flood insurance policy to go into effect, so get your policy now. An average flood policy costs around $600 a year, and rates start at just $129 a year for homes in moderate-to-low-risk areas.

The National Weather Service may not be forecasting severe Spring flooding this year, but don’t wait until a flood is happening to make sure you are protected. Take time now to learn more about flood risk and your options for insurance coverage by visiting www.floodsmart.gov, or by calling 1-800-427-2419.

For more information about flood safety, visit www.Ready.gov/floods.