[Preservenw] Flood Safety Awareness Week March 15-19, 2010

[Gary Menges]

Flood Safety Awareness Week March 15-19, 2010
Release Date: March 12, 2010
Release Number: R10-10-014

2010 Region X News Releases


SEATTLE, Wash. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is 
pleased to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
(NOAA)-sponsored 2010 National Flood Safety Awareness Week, observed March 
15-19 (http://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov/). Flooding is a coast to coast 
threat in the United States and its territories in all months of the year, 
irrespective of local flood seasons. According to FEMA Acting Regional 
Administrator Dennis Hunsinger, flooding is the nations number one natural 
disaster.

We learn time and time again that you just dont need to live in a mapped 
floodplain to need flood insurance, and it just doesnt pay to quibble over 
what side of a line on a flood map one lives on, said Hunsinger. The fact 
is twenty to 25 percent of all flood insurance claims are filed in 
low-to-moderate flood-risk areas where flood insurance premiums can be a 
real bargain.

Property owners and renters need to know that they can take steps to 
protect their property and financial security before disaster strikes. 
However, many eligible residents are unaware that they qualify or that 
affordable flood insurance is available. Residents can begin to take steps 
now to protect their home and assets from rising floodwaters at any time.

Make sure gutters and drains are cleared. Clean and maintain storm drains 
and gutters and remove debris from your property to allow free flow of 
potential floodwater.

Move valuables and sentimental items to the highest floor of your home or 
business.

Install backflow valves in waste lines to keep water flowing in one 
direction.

Protect your well from contamination.

Anchor or elevate fuel tanks and elevate the main breaker or fuse box and 
the utility meters above the anticipated flood level in your home or 
business, so that floodwater won't damage utilities.

Make sure you have the right insurance: Review your insurance policies and 
find out what they do and do not cover. Learn the difference between 
replacement cost coverage versus standard coverage, which only pays the 
actual cash value of insured property. Be sure that you have enough 
insurance to cover recent home renovations or improvements.

Know that most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage, so 
be sure to consider flood insurance for both your structure and its 
contents. There is typically a 30 day waiting period for a flood insurance 
policy to take effect. Learn more by visiting FloodSmart.gov and 
www.Fema.gov.

Learn your flood risk. Properties that are not located within high-risk 
areas can also flood. Find out your flood risk right now by entering your 
address at FloodSmart.gov Assess Your Risk. Insurance agents can also help 
check your risk.

Purchase a flood insurance policy. If you already have a flood policy, 
remember: your policy needs to be renewed each year.

Plan and practice a flood evacuation route, ask someone out of state to be 
your family contact in an emergency, and make sure everyone knows the 
contacts address and phone number.

Build an emergency supply kit: Food, bottled water, first aid supplies, 
medicines, and a battery-operated radio should be ready to go when you 
are. Visit www.ready.gov for a complete disaster supply checklist.

Inventory your household possessions: For insurance purposes, be sure to 
keep a written and visual (i.e., videotaped or photographed) record of all 
major household items and valuables, even those stored in basements, 
attics or garages. Create files that include serial numbers and store 
receipts for major appliances and electronics. Have jewelry and artwork 
appraised. These documents are critically important when filing insurance 
claims.

Store copies of irreplaceable financial and family documents in a safe 
place, preferably one that is protected from both fire and water. 
Documents include automobile titles, tax records, stock and bond 
certificates, deeds, wills, trust agreements, birth and marriage 
certificates, photos, passports and insurance policies. Keep originals in 
a rented safe deposit box. And dont forget the household inventory file!

Flood insurance is available through nearly 100 insurance companies in 
more than 21,000 participating communities nationwide. Everyone can 
purchase flood insurance  renters, business owners, and homeowners. 
Nation-wide, the average flood insurance policy costs around $563 a year. 
And in low- to moderate-risk areas, lower-cost Preferred Risk Policies 
(PRPs) start at just $119 a year. Individuals can learn more about their 
flood risk and how to protect their property by visiting 
www.FloodSmart.gov or by calling 1-800-427-2419.

FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure 
that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our 
capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and 
mitigate all hazards.

Last Modified: Friday, 12-Mar-2010 07:19:55