Flood Preparation and Recovery

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• What is a flood?
• How can I prepare for a flood?
• What should we do during a flood?
• What should I do after a flood?
• Is flood damage covered under my homeowners insurance policy?

What is a flood?

A flood is excess water that rises from the ground which is normally dry. Some causes of floods are heavy rains, high tides, melting snow or when a man-made damn or levee breaks. Floods can come on quickly or slowly. A fast accumulating flood, also known as a flash flood, can happen quickly with little warning. Other floods may take days or week to occur. According to NOAA, flooding is the most common of all natural disasters and it takes the most lives every year.

How can I prepare my home and family for a flood?

• If you don’t already know, check FEMA Flood Maps to see if your home is located in a high-risk flood zone. While all areas of the country are at risk for flooding, some areas are known to be more at-risk than others.
• Purchase a separate flood insurance policy to protect your home and possessions in the event they are damaged or destroyed in a flood.
• Make sure that any areas of your home below base flood elevation are protected with water-resistant materials and/or vacant of any valuable possessions. If your home is prone to flooding you might also want to install a sump pump system.
• Create an emergency kit including water, non-perishable foods, a flashlight, first aid kit and battery powered radio. Create a flood emergency plan and review it with your family.

What should we do during a flood?

Stay tuned to local weather reports and follow any evacuation orders if they are delivered. Turn off electricity and natural gas lines at the main cutoff valve. Place any valuables (including important documents) on the upper floors of your home. If the water starts to rise in your home, make your way to the upper floors or roof.

If you must leave your home in the middle of a flood, stay out of cars when the flood waters are rising. Instead, try and find a high, safe route to safely walk keeping an eye out for downed electrical lines.

What should I do after a flood?

Once the flood waters have resided be sure to inspect the safety of your home before returning- especially to lower levels. Contact your flood insurance agent to file a claim or ask questions about your coverage. When you begin the process of cleaning up, remember that extensive damage and slippery surfaces can make your home extremely dangerous.

Is flood damage covered under my homeowners insurance policy?

Flood damage is not covered under a standard homeowners insurance policy. Flood insurance policies are available through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program and are typically purchased separately. In the event of flood damage to your home, you would file a claim through FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program. In the event of other damage to your home during the storm including wind or hail, you should file a claim through your homeowners insurance company.

FREE Home Inventory Checklist- Download a free home inventory checklist and start documenting your home’s contents. In the event of a natural disaster, your home inventory will help speed up your claims process by providing documentation of what you lost.