Maybe you’ve been fortunate so far. You’ve never suffered any property damage because of flooding. However, that doesn’t mean you’re safe from flooding in the future.
Where's there's rain, there are floods.
Flood risk isn’t just based on history. If you live where it rains, then you live where it can flood. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), ninety percent of all natural disasters in the United States involve flooding, with twenty percent coming from areas that are not considered at high risk for floods.
A flood can have a number of causes: hurricanes, broken levees, outdated or clogged drainage systems and rapid accumulation of rainfall. Even changes due to building and development can mean an area becomes more susceptible to flooding.
How much could flood damage cost you? According to The Cost of Flooding, an interactive tool at Floodsmart.gov, a six-inch flood in a $200,000 home could cost you as much as $39,000.
To identify a community’s flood risk, FEMA conducts a Flood Insurance Study, which includes statistical data for river flow, storm tides, rainfall and topographic surveys. FEMA uses this data to create flood-hazard maps to show different degrees of risk for your community. These maps also help determine the cost of flood insurance. The lower the degree of risk, the lower your flood insurance premium.
How can you minimize your risk of flood damage?
- Make a flood plan and draw evacuation routes.
- List and photograph possessions and store photos in a waterproof container or even a safety deposit box.
- Keep valuables and family treasures on the upper floors of your home or building.
- Review your current homeowner’s insurance policy. Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover damage due to flooding.
- If your home or office is not covered for flood damage, phone us at 713-723-9353. We’ll be happy to provide a quote for flood insurance on your home or office and its contents.
