In most areas of the continental United States, the arrival of fall signals a major change in local weather patterns. The increasingly unsettled weather of September, October and November can, in many states, lead to a higher risk of flooding. As seen in Colorado this past week, flooding can happen anywhere and so, no matter where you live, flood insurance is needed. However, take the following precautions, and you could limit the impact of floods to keep your premiums as low as possible.
Secure Your Home
Hurricanes and thunderstorms will become more likely when sea and ground temperatures are at their highest, which is usually toward the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. You can prepare your home in order to limit the impact of flooding in a number of ways. Firstly, consider installing reinforced doors and shutters to keep floodwaters at bay. If you already have them, inspect seals, latches and hooks regularly for corrosion.
People with garages attached to their homes often forget to include them in their flood protection plans, but they can often be where floodwaters gain entry to a home. Garage doors are built for security, but they provide minimal protection from flooding. Installing waterproof garage doors that are reinforced to withstand the pressure of floodwater could be the difference between a major cleanup operation and just a few cosmetic touch-ups.
If your home is located at the bottom of a valley, you could be at an increased risk of property damage due to flooding. Make sure you always have a supply of sandbags ready, and invest in some water pumps to carry excess water away before it does too much damage. It is also a good idea to perform regular inspections of guttering and drains to ensure that floodwaters can be safely carried away from your property.
If you store hazardous fuels and chemicals in your home, keep them in lockable, water-tight totes and store them off the ground. These substances can cause major environmental damage during flooding events.
Have an Emergency Plan in Place
You should be aware of where all of your emergency shut-off valves and switches are, and you should also make sure everyone else who lives in the home has this information. You should have a list of emergency telephone numbers stored in an accessible place, but remember to keep a non-electronic version available in case your homes loses power. This list should include the number of local plumbers, electricians and builders. Reacting quickly to floodwaters could reduce the cleanup bill once the waters have receded.
It is important for all homeowners to be aware of their own susceptibility to flooding. Most home insurance policies don’t provide coverage for floods, so it is usually necessary for homeowners to take out flood insurance as an additional policy. Also, if you rent your home, don’t forget that you will still need to cover your personal possessions against flood damage.
The recent flooding in Colorado should make us all on alert for flooding, no matter where in the country you are. If you have any questions relating to flooding and need flood insurance quotes, call us today at 504-812-7811 or visit the Direct Flood Insurance Agency website to get a quote and buy a policy online. One of our agents will be happy to discuss your specific requirements in detail.