Remembering the Mother’s Day Flood
Mother’s Day is just around the corner and for the last five years it has not only been a day to honor our mothers, but also an anniversary that marks heartache and loss. It's called the Mother’s Day Flood because the rain started on Sunday, May 11, 2006. The storm was a result of an unusually strong low pressure system, stalled over the central United States drawing copious amounts of moisture from the Atlantic Ocean directly over New England, producing continuous heavy rain that led to record flooding near several rivers. The Mother’s Day Flood was described as the worst flooding since the New England Hurricane of '38. The governors of Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire each declared a state of emergency as a result of the flooding. Damage in New Hampshire was estimated in the tens of millions of dollars and National Guard troops were deployed.
Often we don’t even think about Flood Insurance unless the bank requires it to obtain a loan or until disaster strikes. What many homeowner’s fail to understand is that everyone lives in a flood zone. Let me say that again, EVERYONE LIVES IN A FLOOD ZONE. Some people live in a high risk area right on the coast or very close to overflowing rivers and streams. But according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 25 to 30% of all flood losses occur in the low to moderate risk zones. What if your risk is not that clear-cut? The FloodSmart.gov website offers tools to help evaluate your property’s exposure. Follow the link below and type in your address. It will tell you what your flood risk is based on a number of factors.
Homeowner’s policies don’t cover flood damage. So how can you protect your home and personal property from damage caused by flood? Call your agent for a Flood Insurance quote. If you live in the low to moderate risk areas you can generally get a policy in the preferred program at a low rate. If you are in the higher risk area your agent can quote the standard program. While it is more costly, it is still cheaper than repairing or replacing the property damaged by even a minor flood. Just one inch of water can cause thousands of dollars damage. Not convinced? FloodSmart.gov also has a tool that calculates the cost of flooding based on the depth of the water.
Isn't time you talk with your agent about protecting your property and assets? Your agent can talk to you about what is and what is not covered by a flood policy and get you a quote.
If you have any questions or comments about this information, please give us a call, send us an email or leave us a comment. We would like to hear from you.
