(Washington, D.C., Tuesday, September 21, 2021) – Heavy rain from Hurricane Ida caused severe flood damage to homes in your area. As a result, thousands of people may be wondering how to begin the recovery process for the flooding in their homes, especially if this is their first time filing a flood insurance claim.

Vincent Abril, External Affairs Specialist at FEMA, explains what residents can do right now.

SOUNDBITE #1:

IF YOU HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE THROUGH THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM, AND SUFFERED A LOSS DUE TO FLOODING FROM HURRICANE IDA, CALL YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY IMMEDIATELY TO FILE A CLAIM. WITH FLOOD INSURANCE, YOU’LL HAVE ONE LESS THING TO WORRY ABOUT. VISIT FLOOD-SMART-DOT-GOV-SLASH-START TO LEARN MORE.

SOUNDBITE #2:

RESIDENTS IN THE SOUTH RECENTLY EXPERIENCED WIDESPREAD FLOODING FROM HURRICANE IDA. IF YOU SUSTAINED FLOOD DAMAGE, BE SURE TO REACH OUT TO YOUR INSURANCE AGENT. THEY CAN HELP YOU FILE A FLOOD INSURANCE CLAIM TO GET YOU ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY.

Visit floodsmart.gov/start for information on filing a claim and beginning the recovery process.