Unfortunately, many homeowners do not
find out until it is too late that their homeowner’s insurance policies do not
cover flooding. National Flood
Insurance protects your most valuable assets – your home and your
belongings. Owners of homes,
condominiums, apartments, and non-residential structures, including commercial
buildings, are able to purchase insurance through the federally backed National
Flood Insurance Program. Only a select
few properties that lie within a protected area referred to as part of the
Coastal Barrier Resource System are prohibited from purchasing Flood
Insurance. Even if you live in an area
that is not flood prone, it is advisable to have Flood Insurance because
between 20 and 25 percent of Flood Insurance claims come from outside high
flood risk areas.
Flood
Insurance covers
the overflow of inland or tidal waters (including storm surge from tropical
storms and hurricanes), the unusual and rapid accumulation of runoff or surface
water from any source, mudslides caused by flooding that could be described as
a river of liquid and flowing mud, and the collapse or destabilization of land
along a lake or other body of water resulting from wave action or water
currents exceeding normal levels.
Mortgaged properties that are located
in designated flood hazard areas and are covered by federally backed loans are
required to purchase flood insurance. Flood Insurance can be purchased through
many property insurance companies just like regular homeowners insurance. If you need information regarding the flood
zone designation for your area or help in any other preparedness matter,
contact your local Emergency Management office.
For additional information regarding the National Flood Insurance
Program you may access the official website at www.floodsmart.gov.
Remember, flooding is the
most common and widespread of all natural disasters with the exception of
fires. Few people question the necessity
of having insurance that protects their property from loss caused by a fire. The same consideration should be given to
flood insurance, especially by residents in an area with the natural
characteristics of southwest