Protect yourself against floods


Flood Insurance Benefits Outweigh Costs

Thousands of under-insured homeowners in themight  not  be  required.
path of Hurricane Katrina learned first-hand
the financial devastation of flooding. EveryHowever, lower risk doesn't mean that you
home in the United States has a one in fourshouldn't diminish the opportunity for severe
chance of experiencing some type of floodflooding. Evolving weather patterns offer
damage every three decades according to theareas that historically have predictable
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).precipitation and storm patterns experiencing
With the increase in global warming, morerecord rainfalls and flash flooding that
intense storms with their severe floodinghaven't implemented wide ranging flood
will alter the financial future of those withcontrol infrastructure. Flood damage can also
no  or  minimal  insurance for rising waters.be caused by overwhelmed storm sewer systems
backing  up  into  your  home.
Flood zones are categorized by FEMA by their
likelihood to experience flooding based on aRates for policies vary from two to seven
once-in-a-century model that states a floodhundred dollars a year, based on your flood
having a one-percent chance of being equaledrisk level. Plans restrict coverage amounts
or exceeded in any year. Areas rated an "A"to $250,000 for structures and $100,000 in
are at the highest risk and all potentialpersonal property. Florida leads the country
mortgage lenders offering a loan in an "A"with the largest number of flood insurance
flood zone will require the borrower topolicy holders. The visual images of the
obtain flood insurance. Locals labeled "B",homes in the path of Katrina should offer a
"C", "D", "V" and "X" carry lower risks andstark reminder of why flood insurance in a
the possibility that mandatory insurancebenefit not a cost.



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