“Renters insurance is covering your contents. Since you don’t own the building that you’re staying in, that’s all you’re going to cover is just what you own. Homeowners insurance; you own the building and everything in it so a homeowners insurance will cover that structure as well as all of the contents in it,” explains James Grusheski, an Allstate Agent in Savannah. (more…)
Iowa County has joined over 20,000 communities nationwide that are allowed to purchase federally backed flood insurance. This availability follows the community’s adoption and enforcement of ordinances to reduce flood losses and acceptance by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). (more…)
Insurers are applauding the U.S. Senate’s approval of a bill that includes proposals to restructure the National Flood Insurance Program’s premium rates, update its flood maps and expand coverage areas where flood insurance would be mandatory. (more…)
Flooding
Perhaps the biggest cause of flood-related deaths and injuries is lack of public understanding of the severity and danger involved with floods and flash floods. The following tips can help protect you during flood events. (more…)
Flooding causes £1 billion worth of damage in the UK every year, according to the Environment Agency, and that is just a normal year unlike last summer’s exceptional rainfall. (more…)
Many of the swollen rivers and creeks are receding from the heavy rains that slammed Missouri last week, and Missourians are being urged to prepare for more spring flooding down the road. (more…)
It’s not a pretty sight: A house filled with water, the carpet ruined, and possessions damaged.
You want to go in, but you know it might not be safe. That was the situation Monday at a home in Ballard.
“We can’t even salvage anything because if we go downstairs, we’ll get electrocuted,” said Shauna Eckhart. “And the lights are still on, so they didn’t pop a breaker. So we know there’s still electricity going there.”
It can be extremely dangerous to enter a flooded building, whether it’s a home, office or apartment. Especially if the utilities are still on.
“I would personally stay out of my basement if there’s flooding in it, until I had time to bring somebody in that knows what they’re doing, either an electrician or somebody else or til the water recedes,” said Chuck Clarke, with Seattle Public Utilities. “I just think being conservative at this point related to electric issues or gas issues or others is a prudent way to go.”
Here’s how to play it safe it your home is flooded:
- When re-entering the building, use flashlights instead of lanterns or candles, in case there’s a gas leak.
- If you know where your circuit breaker is, turn it off for the areas exposed to the flooding. If the electrical panel is threatened by flood waters, contact your power company.
- Call the gas company to turn the gas back on. Don’t try to do it yourself.
- Have a professional check your heating system and electrical system before using it.
A lot of people will need to deal with water-logged vehicles. If the water has reached the engine compartment, don’t start the vehicle. Instead, have it towed to a mechanic.
“Flood water is not only wet, it can be corrosive,” said AAA spokeswoman Janet Ray. “There is the moisture, the water certainly, but then dirt and gravel and other elements that are abrasive materials that could force their way into every seam and crevice in your automobile.
“So you want to make sure that you have a technician who will go through all of the systems.”
For many people, this flooding is going to financially devastating. Home owners insurance policies exclude flood damage so, unless you had flood insurance, you’re out of luck.
For car owners, insurance should cover the water damage if you have comprehensive coverage on the vehicle.
How to drive when the roads are flooding:
“Drive slowly but steadily. Hold on to your steering wheel with both hands so incase you get into an area where water is flowing a little more quickly you can guide your vehicle,” Ray said. ”
Don’t step on the brake when you’re in the middle of the flood waters, just keep driving steadily. Once you’re through then test your brakes, because your brake lining could have gotten wet and you want to make sure you allow that lining dry out. So just lightly put a little pressure on the brake pedal and give it a little chance to dry out an then test it so you’ll know it works when you want it to.
IF YOUR HOUSE IS FLOODED
TO PREVENT FUTURE PROBLEMS
For More Information:
Washington State Department of Health: Weathering Storms
Although the anticipated flood risk appears to have diminished in many parts of the UK, Lloyds TSB Insurance is warning homeowners in areas still at risk to stay on guard, in case they are hit by harsh weather now or during the coming winter months.
With incidents of severe flooding becoming increasingly common, the insurer has published a set of guidelines to help those who will need to make an insurance claim for damage to their home or possessions, now or in the future. (more…)
PASADENA, Calif. — More than 81,640 Californians, who live in the seven-county disaster area, have flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program ( NFIP ). That’s good news.
“This sound investment may offer peace of mind for these policyholders as the rainy season approaches,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Mike Hall. “It also should be a wake-up call for those who are without flood coverage.”
“Californians know first-hand that when wildfires burn off hillside vegetation, flooding and mudflows may not be far behind,” said State Coordinating Officer Henry Renteria of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. (more…)
Marseilles property owners may want to check with their insurance agents on the new availability of federal flood insurance.The Marseilles City Council Wednesday unanimously passed a comprehensive flood damage prevention ordinance. The primary goal of the ordinance is to regulate stormwater drainage within the city in ways that will reduce flood problems and thereby protect buildings and reduce the need to spend tax dollars for flood cleanup. (more…)