Floods are the number one natural disaster in the U.S. causing around $5 billion in damages every year. Yet most homeowners' insurance policies don't provide coverage for this risk. That's partly because flood dangers are so wide-spread, the task of insuring against has been handed to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
The National Flood Insurance Program offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters and business owners if their community participates in the program. There is hardly a county in the country that doesn't have at least some risk, even in high altitude and desert areas. You can check the threat in your locale by viewing flood maps held by FEMA at http://tinyrul.com/fema-flood-maps
In order to stay safe during times of flooding, the National Weather Service offers the following safety tips:
- If flooding occurs, move to higher ground immediately. Evacuate areas subject to flooding.
- Do not allow children to play near high water, storm drains or ditches.
- Never drive on a flooded road. Most vehicles lose contact with the road in six inches of water.
- Do not camp of park your vehicle along streams or other bodies of water when threatening weather conditions exist.
- Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
Flooding in Ames, Iowa and central Iowa is a concern. Here is a short video of flooding that occurred in Ames in 2010.
For more information on flood insurance, please contact our office. Don't wait until it's too late!
