Flood Facts, Safety Tips and Insurance Information
National Flood Safety Week is March 16-20, 2009
Most communities in the United States can experience some kind of flooding after spring rains, heavy thunderstorms or winter snow thaws. Floods can be slow or fast-rising, but generally develop over a period of days. Flooding can take on different forms – ranging from river flooding to flash flooding to snowmelt flooding. It can occur in any season; any month; any time of the day. Flooding is a threat in almost any place.
Flooding is the No. 1 storm-related killer. It ranks just behind heat waves in the number of casualties for all weather events. More than half of all flood-related deaths are drownings that result from vehicles caught in flood waters and then swept downstream. Eighty percent of all flood deaths occur when people drive into flooded roadways or simply walk through moving water. People often underestimate the force of water. When it comes to flooded areas or high water: Turn Around. Don’t Drown.
Emergency Information
Flood waters can be extremely dangerous. The force of six inches of swiftly moving water can knock an adult person off his or her feet. The best protection during a flood is to leave the area and seek shelter on higher ground.
Flash flood waters move very quickly and can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy buildings and obliterate bridges. Walls of water can reach heights of 10 to 20 feet and generally are accompanied by a deadly cargo of debris. The best response to any signs of flash flooding is to move immediately and quickly to higher ground.
Just two feet of moving water can float and carry away most vehicles, including sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and pickup trucks. You can protect yourself best by being prepared and having time to act.
Before a Flood
- Check with your local floodplain administrator to determine if you live in a flood-prone area.
- Visit the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources, Division of Water’s Web site at:
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Portals/7/floodpln/communitylist.pdf for
a list of Ohio’s local floodplain administrators.
- Visit this Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources, Division of Water’s site for
additional information on flood maps and flood insurance studies:
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/water/floodpln/mapinsur/tabid/3516/Default.aspx
- Consider installing check valves in building sewer traps to prevent flood
waters from backing up in sewer drains.
- Plan and practice an evacuation route.
- Have disaster supplies on hand.
- Develop an emergency communication plan.
- Flood damage to vehicles is covered by auto insurance when comprehensive
coverage is purchased.
During a Flood Watch
- Listen to a radio or television for the latest storm information.
- Fill bathtub, sinks and jugs with clean water in case water becomes
contaminated.
- Move valuable household possessions to upper floors or to safe grounds if
time permits.
- If you are instructed by local authorities, turn off all utilities at the
main power switch and close the main gas valve.
- Be prepared to evacuate.
Flood Safety
During a Flood Warning
- If indoors, turn on a battery-powered radio or NOAA Weather Radio
to get the latest emergency information. If your area is advised to evacuate,
do so immediately.
- If outdoors, climb to high ground and stay there. Avoid walking through any
flood waters.
- If you are driving and have come to a flooded area, turn around and go the
other way. Many deaths have resulted from attempts to drive through flooded
roadways.
During an Evacuation
- If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
- Evacuation is much simpler and safer before flood waters block your escape.
Leave early enough to avoid being marooned by flooded roads.
- Never attempt to drive or walk through flood waters. Water could be deeper
than it appears and floodwater currents can be deceptive. Remember, it only
takes two feet of water to carry away most vehicles.
- Listen to a battery-operated radio or TV for evacuation instructions.
- Follow recommended evacuation routes. Shortcuts may be blocked.
After a Flood
- Flood dangers do not end when the water begins to recede. Listen
to a radio or television and do not return home until authorities indicate it
is safe.
- Remember to help those who may require special assistance: infants, young
children, the elderly and people with disabilities.
- Before entering a flood-damaged building, check the foundation for cracks and
inspect porch roofs and overhangs to be sure they are adequately supported. Ask
a building inspector to check the house before you go inside.
- Be alert for gas leaks. Do not strike a match or use open flame when entering
a building unless you know the gas has been turned off and the area ventilated.
- Do not use appliances or motors that have gotten wet unless they have been
taken apart, cleaned and dried.
- For more information on floods or flood safety, contact your state or local
emergency management agency; the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division
of Water; the National Weather Service; or your local American Red Cross
chapter.
Additional Flood Safety Rules
Turn Around Don’t Drown (TADD)
Turn Around Don’t Drown is a NOAA National Weather Service safety campaign to warn people of the hazards of walking or driving vehicles through flood waters. To avoid getting caught in this situation, the National Weather Service suggests these safety rules:
- Monitor the NOAA Weather Radio or your favorite news source for vital weather-related information.
- If flooding occurs, move to higher ground immediately. Leave areas subject to flooding. This includes dips in roads, low spots, canyons and washes.
- Do not allow children to play near high water, storm drains or ditches. Hidden dangers often lie beneath the water. In addition, the flowing floodwaters could sweep children or adults away.
- Avoid areas that are already flooded, especially if the floodwaters are flowing fast. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams. It only takes six inches of fast flowing water to sweep you off your feet. Turn Around Don’t Drown.
- Never drive on a flooded road. Flooded roads often have significant damage hidden by floodwaters. In addition, most vehicles lose contact with the road in six inches of water and can be swept away in 18 to 24 inches of water. Turn Around Don’t Drown.
- Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams or washes, particularly when threatening weather conditions exist.
- Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
Flood Insurance & Disaster Assistance Information
Flooding can occur during any season. In fact, Ohio has been granted
federal disaster declarations for winter flooding two years in a row. The
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) estimates that 90 percent of all
natural disasters involve flooding. A home has a four times greater risk of
flooding than burning, during the course of a 30-year mortgage.
Get the Information and Facts on Flood Insurance
Visit http://www.floodsmart.gov
to learn more about flood insurance. This site provides basic information about
flood insurance and provides features to obtain an estimated flood insurance
premium, assess a building’s flood risk and find an insurance agent in your
community.
Flood Insurance Facts
- Losses caused by flooding are not covered by homeowners or renters insurance.
Coverage is available through a separate flood insurance policy. The program is
administered by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA).
- Flood coverage is available for any building located in a community that has
qualified for the NFIP. Buildings do not have to be located in a floodplain to
be eligible for flood insurance.
- Most Ohio communities qualify for the NFIP. According to FEMA, approximately
280,000 structures are located in Ohio's mapped floodplain areas with a value
of $11 billion. About 10 percent of these structures are protected by flood
insurance. To view a list of communities participating in the National Flood
Insurance Program, visit: http://www.fema.gov/cis/OH.pdf.
- As of January 2009, the updated flood insurance premium on Ohio is $694
annually, compared to $545, nationally.
- Licensed property/casualty insurance agents or brokers can sell flood
insurance. The NFIP's toll-free agent referral program number is
1-800-427-4661, for those having difficulty finding flood coverage.
- Flood damage to vehicles is covered by auto insurance when comprehensive
coverage is purchased.
About the Policy
- There is a 30-day waiting period before a new or modified flood insurance
policy goes into effect, unless it is a condition for obtaining a mortgage.
- The standard flood insurance policy covers direct losses caused by a flood,
less an insurance deductible.
- Flood insurance protects against damages caused by surface flooding, with
limited coverage in basements. It does not usually cover damages from sewer
backup or sump pump failure.
- Two types of coverage are available: Structure Coverage for walls,
floors, insulation and furnace, and for specified items permanently attached to
the insured structure and Contents Coverage for items contained within
an insured structure.
- Homes can be insured up to $250,000; furnishings and contents coverage is
available up to $100,000. Commercial (business) coverage is available up to
$500,000.
- To file a flood insurance claim, contact the insurance agent or company who
sold you the policy.
Flood Terminology
Flood – A condition that occurs when water overflows the
natural or artificial confines of a stream or body of water, or accumulates by
drainage over low-lying areas.
General River Flooding
– follows heavy rain, snow melt or their combination. While river flooding
typically occurs slowly, allowing more time to take protective measures,
extreme flash flooding or a breakup of an ice jam along a river can produce
more rapid river rises.
Urban and Small Stream Floods – occurs when heavy rain falls,
resulting in flooded streets, underpasses or drainage ditches in urban areas,
and creeks in rural areas. Not usually life-threatening on its own, but can be,
if motorists drive through a flooded roadway or children play near a storm
drain or drainage ditch.
Flash Floods – Rapid and life-threatening floods from heavy
rains occurring in a short period of time, usually in hilly or mountainous
areas, or produced by the failure of a dam.
Flood/Flash Flood Watch – Usually issued for several hours
indicating that conditions are favorable for possible flooding or flash
flooding.
Flood/Flash Flood Warning – Issued when flooding or flash
flooding is imminent or occurring. This indicates a need to take protective
measures.
Disaster Assistance Availability
- Most forms of federal disaster assistance are available to individuals and
businesses only if the president declares a federal disaster for a specified
area(s).
- With a federal declaration, individuals may be eligible to apply for the FEMA
Individuals and Households Program, the low-interest Small Business
Administration (SBA) Home/Personal Property Loans or SBA Business Loans.
- The average federal individual and family grant is usually less than $2,500.
- The average duration and loan payment of a SBA loan is 18.5 years and $140
per month.
- The State of Ohio Individual Assistance Grant Program (State IA Program) may
also be available to flood victims for losses and expenses incurred by
individuals and families who do not qualify for the SBA loan program.
- Additional information on flood insurance is available at
http://www.fema.gov
Insurance Tips during Rebuilding
Take the
following steps to ensure an effective repair:
- If you feel the settlement offered by your insurer is not fair or complete,
contact the company and be ready to provide information to support your claim.
- Protect yourself from shoddy workmanship by using licensed, reputable
contractors. Be sure they secure the proper building permits. Beware of
contractors requiring a large payment up front or whose bids are amazingly low.
- If your home was destroyed beyond repair and you decide to rebuild on another
lot or purchase another home instead of rebuilding, check your insurance policy
and discuss this with your insurance agent or company representative. There may
be limitations on what your insurer will pay for if you do not rebuild on the
same property.
- If you choose to build or rebuild, check with your community’s floodplain
administrator to learn about your community’s flood safety standards. These
standards are required for all new floodplain development or substantially
damaged/improved structures in the floodplain and can help avoid having your
home and property damaged or destroyed by flood again. In addition, flood
insurance premiums are much lower for structures built in compliance with your
local flood damage prevention regulations.
- Remember, your settlement will not necessarily be the same as your
neighbors’. Your coverage may be different, as well as the level of damage
caused by the storm.
- Your insurance policy provides coverage to repair or replace property you had
prior to the storm. It will not pay for improvements.
- If you know your home is not up to local building code standards, you may be
required to rebuild the damaged sections according to current codes. In some
cases, this may mean a design or building material change that may cost more.
Generally, a standard homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover such
additional expenses. You may want to consider a policy endorsement that pays a
specified amount toward such required improvements.
Consider using this checklist before you arrange
for disaster repairs to your
home:
Obtain more than one estimate. Do not be bullied into signing the first
contract that is presented to you.- Obtain all information contained in the bid: costs, work to be completed,
repair time, payment schedules, contractor guarantees. Ensure all details are
provided.
- Ask for references and be sure to check them out.
- Never sign a contract that is incomplete or blank.
- Do not pay for the repairs or sign a certification of completion until all
work has been completed in accordance with the contract specifications.
- Disaster repairs often heighten the opportunity for insurance fraud and
abuse. Do not be tempted to conspire in a fraudulent insurance claim. Insurance
fraud is a felony.
- Be aware that insurance coverage may be void if policyholder
misrepresentation is discovered.
Limitations of the Flood Insurance Policy
- If your home or business is damaged by a flood, you may be required to meet
certain building requirements in your community to reduce future flood damage
before you repair or rebuild. To assist you in covering the cost of meeting
those requirements, the Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) endorsement has been
added to the standard flood insurance policy.
- If you own structures determined by the community to be substantially damaged
or repetitively damaged by a flood, you may file an ICC claim. Up to $30,000
may be available to help bring your home or business into compliance with the
local floodplain code.
Don't Be Victimized Twice – Avoid Disaster Fraud
After a disaster, you are often confronted with making difficult repair decisions in a short period of time. It is important that you educate yourself to avoid dishonest contractors during these hectic times.
Victims of any recent storm or flooding should be extremely cautious and not let the sense of urgency to repair lead them into making a regrettable decision. Before hiring contractors, check their references and clear them through a local Better Business Bureau or the Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Section online at www.ag.state.oh.us or by calling toll-free at 1-800-282-0515.
Use the following online resources to assure that you are taking the right steps to making repairs:
