(Washington, D.C., Tuesday, July 13, 2021) – With peak hurricane season quickly approaching, FEMA is urging residents to understand their flood risk and to act now. Only about 20 percent of residents in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida have flood insurance. It’s a fact, that when a hurricane hits, those with flood insurance recover faster. Since most homeowners and renters insurance does not cover flood damage, having a flood insurance policy is vital.

Jeff Jackson, Acting Assistant Administrator, Federal Insurance at FEMA, explains what residents can do right now.

SOUNDBITE #1:

NOW THAT HURRICANE SEASON IS HERE, IT’S TIME TO PREPARE. YOU MAY NOT KNOW THIS, BUT JUST ONE INCH OF WATER CAN CAUSE UP TO TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS IN DAMAGE. BUYING A FLOOD INSURANCE POLICY IS THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT THE LIFE YOU’VE BUILT. VISIT FLOOD-SMART-DOT-GOV-SLASH-HURRICANES TO LEARN MORE.

SOUNDBITE #2:

NOW THAT HURRICANE SEASON IS HERE, RESIDENTS SHOULD BE MINDFUL THAT WHERE IT CAN RAIN, IT CAN FLOOD. AND HAVING FLOOD INSURANCE IS THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT THE LIFE YOU’VE BUILT. DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE, AS A FLOOD INSURANCE POLICY TYPICALLY TAKES THIRTY DAYS TO GO INTO EFFECT.

For more information, visit http://www.floodsmart.gov/hurricanes.