by Susan Dunn, MA, Retirement Coach
1. Yes, Virginia, you do live in a flood zone.
According to the NFIP, "everyone lives in a flood zone," because flash floods occur in every state.
2. A flood is basically defined as "an excess of water (or mud) on what's normally dry."
3. The odds of having flood damage are against you.
Chances of fire, 1 in 25.
Chance of house being hit by tornado, 1 in 150,000.
Chance of flood damage, 1 in 4 (if you live in a high risk area).
4. You don't have to be in a high-risk area to have flood damage.
25% of flood loss claims paid by the NFIP are for policies in low- to moderate-risk areas. To assess your risk, go here:
5. Flooding causes more than $2 billion of property damage every year in the US.
Highest claim area? Florida.
6. Don't live near water, so you don't need to worry?
Flash floods occur in every state in the US. They can occur without warning anywhere, and any time a large amount of rain falls in a short amount of time.
7. What to do before a flood?
a. Take photos of all your important possessions.
b. Store important documents and irreplaceables where they won't get damaged.
c. Establish a relative for "family contact" in case your family gets separated.
d. Install sump pumps with back-up power.
e. Install backflow valves for drains, toilets and other sewer connections to prevent floodwaters from entering.
f. Place furnace and water heater on masonry blocks or concrete at least 1' above projected flood level.
g. For more tips, and what to do before, during and after, go here: http://www.floodsmart.gov
8. Among the causes of flooding of which you may not be aware, are winter storms and snow melt.
9. Homeowners policies do not cover flood damage.
NFIP flood insurance does. It is sold through private insurance companies and agents and is backed by the Federal government.
10. Do you live hopefully, thinking in the back of your mind you can rely on damage being covered by FEMA in case of a "real" flood?
Think again. According to FEMA ( http://www.fema.gov ) before a community is eligible for disaster assistance, it must be declared a federal disaster area. Federal assistance declarations are issued in less than 50% of flooding incidents.
Further, FEMA assistance is a loan. According to NFIP, "the premium for an NFIP policy, averaging about $400 a year, is less expensive than interest on federal disaster loans."
And further, if you were uninsured and received FEMA relief after a flood, you'll be required to purchase flood insurance to remain eligible for FUTURE disaster relief.
©Susan Dunn, MA, http://www.susandunn.cc . Coaching for
retirement, relationships, career, transitions and emotional
intelligence. Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for FREE ezine; put
"ezine" for subject line. Susan is the author of many books
relating emotional intelligence to your transformation.
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NOW is the time to share this information with every neighbor and form a neighborhood group that can help each other. Anarchy and riots could break out and law enforcement agencies may be operating sporadically if at all as we have witnessed in New Orleans.