MARSHFIELD, WI (OnFocus) – As winter melts away to spring, it also marks a return to flood season. Flooding from melting snow or heavy rain is one of the most common and most costly natural hazards in Wisconsin.
Flood insurance is a type of insurance policy that provides coverage for property damage caused by flooding. There are several reasons why you may need flood insurance.
“Most standard homeowners or renters insurance policies do not provide coverage for flood damage,” explained Nick Arnoldy, President/CEO at Marshfield Insurance. “Therefore, if your property is located in a flood-prone area, you may need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy to ensure that you are protected in the event of a flood.”
Arnoldy added that while you can add flood insurance to your existing homeowners or renters insurance policy at any time, it’s important to note that there may be a waiting period before the policy goes into effect.
“It’s better to add it now, before the spring thaw,” he said.
Flood damage can be very costly to repair, and it can cause significant financial hardship for homeowners and renters. Flood insurance can help to offset the cost of repairs and make it easier to recover financially after a flood.
“Even if your property is not located in a flood-prone area, it is still possible for a flood to occur. Heavy rains, snowmelt, and other factors can all contribute to flooding. Having flood insurance can provide peace of mind and protection in the event of a flood,” added Arnoldy.
Federal law may require flood insurance for those who live in a high-risk flood area and have a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender. This is because the lender wants to protect its investment in your property.
March 6-10 is Flood Safety Awareness Week in Wisconsin. ReadyWisconsin and the Department of Health Services asks everyone in the state to take this week to assess their flood risk and learn how to protect themselves before, during, and after a flood.
While you can’t always stop the waters from rising, the following tips can help improve safety for you and your community before a flood:
- Know your flood risk. Assess the potential for flooding on your property if you live in a flood plain or near a body of water, or have a basement. Plan with your family for what you will do if the floodwaters begin to rise.
- Build a “Go Kit.” Include items such as food, water, cash, medications and copies of important documents (personal identification like passports and birth certificates, medical records, insurance policies, and financial documents).
- Make an emergency plan — If you can’t make it home or need to leave quickly, identify a meeting place for your family. Make a list of emergency numbers and important contacts.
- Keep water out of your house. Clean gutters regularly, direct downspouts away from your foundation, repair cracks in your foundation, improve grading so water flows away from your house, and cover window wells.
- Investigate flood insurance. Standard insurance policies generally do not cover flooding. Most flood coverage requires 30 days to take effect. Find more information about flood insurance options at https://www.floodsmart.gov/.
- Move valuables out of the basement. Store important records and documents in waterproof containers on upper levels of your home.
Follow these tips during and after a flood:
- Stay up to date on the forecast. Identify multiple ways to receive alerts about dangerous weather conditions and potential flooding, such as a NOAA Weather Radio, trusted local news outlets, and mobile weather apps.
- Never drive or walk through flooded areas — turn around, don’t drown! Just six inches of fast-moving water can sweep adults off their feet, while 12 inches can carry away a small car. Be especially careful while driving at night.
- Take steps to protect your health:
- Stay out of floodwaters, which can contain bacteria from human and animal waste, sharp objects, hazardous chemicals, downed power lines, and other dangerous items.
- If your home floods, follow cleaning and disinfection guidelines to avoid mold growth.
- If the power goes out for more than four hours, throw out refrigerated food or any food that came into contact with floodwater.
- If your drinking water well is flooded, disinfect the well and test the water to make sure it’s safe before drinking it.
- If you use a generator, keep it outside at least 20 feet from your home to avoid illness or death from carbon monoxide, which can occur in enclosed spaces.
For more information on Flood Safety Awareness Week, and for safety information throughout the year, go to http://readywisconsin.wi.gov.
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Author: News Desk
This piece was posted by our news team! Contact us or submit stories at [email protected].
