Why Flood Insurance is Important for Florida Residents.

#1 Natural Disaster in the U.S.

Did you know that Floods are the #1 Natural Disaster in the United States and Flash flooding is the leading cause of weather related deaths in the U.S. at approximately 200 deaths per year?

This alone is a good reason to be concerned about flooding in your area, but this is not only for Florida residents living in a flood zone. People living outside of a flood zone or even 100 miles away from a flood zone should also be concerned about the possible flooding during a hurricane or tropical storm.



Facts on WHY flooding can be a serious problem to every homeowner.

  • Inland flooding is one of the most deadly results of hurricanes
  • More than 60 percent of U.S. Hurricane deaths occurred in inland counties
  • Over half of tropical hurricane deaths are related to freshwater flooding
  • a tropical storm can produce more rainfall than a Category 5 hurricane
  • Inland flooding can be a major threat to communities more than 100 miles from the coast
  • A small amount of flooding can cause significant risk and damage
  • When hurricanes move over land, they tend to lose wind strength but continuously dump huge amounts of rain into our lakes, streams, ponds and rivers causing a serious threat of inland flooding.
  • Inland flooding can be also caused by new development changing the natural drainage, flash foods from severe thunderstorms, leveed and dams and changes in the landscapes from wildfires and droughts.

 

Home Owners Insurance does not cover flooding so what do YOU do if you are not in a flood zone, BUT are concerned about potential flooding in your area?

 

Preparing for a Flood

  • Start with getting Flood Insurance

    • Did you know that flood insurance starts at about $300 per year if you live in a low risk area?
    • Contact your Insurance Agent for a Quote for your area, you might be surprised how inexpensive flood insurance is for your property.

     

  • Safeguard your possessions

    • Create a flood file (this can also be used for other disasters)that contains information about your possessions and any other important documents including but not limited to:
      • Household inventory: written and video file of all valuables, documents with appraised valuables, any receipts to go with the valuables. These are important for insurance claims

      • Copies of other critical documents or backed up discs/jump drives:
        • financial information
        • important receipts
        • wills


  • Develop a family emergency plan

    • Create a first aid/safety kit
    • Fill out / E-mail FEMA's Family Emergency Plan (pdf) to your family and friends


  • Prepare your home

    • Clear debris from gutters and downspouts
    • Make sure the furnace, water heater, washer and dryer are on cement block 12 inches or more above projected flood elevation.
    • Have a plan when to move outside furniture indoors when your area is in a Flood Watch


Don't Forget Homeowners Insurance DOES NOT cover Floods, so Don't be caught by the storm,
GET FLOOD INSURANCE TODAY!

Learn more about Preparing for a Flood or other Natural Disaster at FEMA's official Ready.gov site.