Flooding is the Most Common Natural Disaster in the United States, and All Communities Are at Risk
David Maurstad, Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance and Mitigation, FEMA
(Washington, D.C., Tuesday, August 21, 2018) – The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is advising local residents to act now to prepare their homes and families for potential flash flooding due to heavy summer rains.
Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the United States, and all communities are at risk.
David Maurstad, Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance and Mitigation, FEMA, has tips on how to be prepared.
SOUNDBITE #1:
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO PREPARE IS TO BUY FLOOD INSURANCE. THE FACT IS, JUST ONE INCH OF FLOOD WATER CAN CAUSE MORE THAN TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS IN DAMAGE—AND MOST HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS INSURANCE POLICIES DON’T COVER IT. THERE IS A THIRTY-DAY WAITING PERIOD FOR MOST POLICIES TO TAKE EFFECT, SO PROPERTY OWNERS AND RENTERS SHOULD TAKE ACTION TODAY.
SOUNDBITE #2:
IN ADDITION TO FLOOD INSURANCE, THERE ARE OTHER WAYS TO PREPARE FOR A FLOOD. MAKE A DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PLAN; KEEP IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS IN A WATERPROOF CONTAINER; SAVE MONEY IN AN EMERGENCY SAVINGS ACCOUNT; AND PACK A BAG WITH ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES IN CASE YOU NEED TO LEAVE QUICKLY. IF FLASH FLOODING IS A RISK, MONITOR POTENTIAL SIGNS, SUCH AS HEAVY RAINS, AND PAY ATTENTION TO LOCAL ALERTS.
For more information on how to prepare for floods and to learn more about flood insurance, visit FloodSmart.gov or contact your insurance agent.