Disaster Preparedness

Flooding is the nation's most common natural disaster. Flooding can happen in every U.S. state and territory. However, all floods are not alike. Some can develop slowly during an extended period of rain, or in a warming trend following a heavy snow. Others, such as flash floods, can occur quickly, even without any visible signs of rain. It's important to be prepared for flooding no matter where you live, but particularly if you are in a low-lying area, near water or downstream from a dam. Even a very small stream or dry creek bed can overflow and create flooding.

FLOOD FACTS

• Floods and flash floods happen in all 50 states.
• Everyone lives in a flood zone.
• Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage.
• Just an inch of water can cause costly damage to your property.
• Flash floods often bring walls of water 10 to 20 feet high.
• A car can easily be carried away by just two feet of floodwater.
• Hurricanes, winter storms and snowmelt are common (but often overlooked) causes of flooding.
• New land development can increase flood risk, especially if the construction changes natural runoff paths.
• The average annual U.S. flood losses in the past 10 years (1994-2004) were more than $2.4 billion.
  

FLOOD RISK SCENARIOS
Everyone is at risk. Flood risks are not limited to coastal areas or from devastating tropical storms they more often and in more locations than you may realize. In fact, floods are the most common natural disaster in the U.S. So whats your flood risk? These hypothetical scenarios can help you to find out. Once you understand your risk, you can understand how to protect yourself from financial loss due to flooding.

1. Snow Melt: during the spring, frozen land prevents melting snow or rainfall from seeping into the ground. Each cubic food of compacted snow contains gallons of water and once the snow melts, it can result in the overflow of streams, rivers and lakes. Add spring storms to that and the result is often serious spring flooding.
   Example: Mr. Williams lives on a farm in a rural area, a relatively flat area located several miles from the nearest body of water. His property is exposed to heavy snowfall that accumulates over the winter months. As spring approaches, the snow begins to melt while the ground is still frozen. With no ground absorption and little to no drainage, the snow melt becomes a slow flood.
2. Flash Floods: flash floods are the number one weather related killer in the U.S. since they can roll boulders, tear out trees and destroy building and bridges. A flash flood is a rapid flooding of low-lying areas in less than six hours, which is caused by intense rainfall from a thunderstorm or several thunderstorms. Flash floods can also occur from the collapse of a man-made structure or ice dam.
   Example: Mr. Johnson lives in an outlying suburb of Palm Springs, an arid region that sees little rainfall. Late one summer, a current of warm, moist air blows in from the Gulf of California, bringing with it a torrential downpour. With no rain for the past several months, the desert climate has made the ground bone-dry and unable to absorb the rainfall. Within a couple hours, the rushing water carrying deadly debris crashes through Mr. Johnsons neighborhood. The flood causes massive destruction, sweeping away everything in its path.
3. New Development: Construction and development can change the natural drainage and create brand new flood risks. Thats because new buildings, parking lots and roads mean less land to absorb excess precipitation from heavy rains, hurricanes and tropical storms.
   Example: Mrs. Smith lives in a relatively new suburb of Los Angeles. Near her home, an apartment complex is being built. As a severe thunderstorm moves in, heavy rains rapidly accumulate. With less land available to absorb the precipitation, the water has nowhere to go and begins to pool. Mrs. Smiths neighborhood experiences a flood that lasts only hours, but causes thousands of dollars in damage.
4. Levees and Dams: Levees are designed to protect against a certain level of flooding. However, levees can and do decay over time, making maintenance a serious challenge. Levees can also be overtopped or even fail during large floods, creating more damage than if the levee wasnt even there.
   Example: Mr. Bishop lives in Riverside, several miles from a small earthen dam. One spring, a strong storm comes up the coast, bringing heavy rains that last for days. As the rainwater accumulates, the small dam reaches its worst case scenario capacity. Under the pressure of this extra water, the dam collapses. Mr. Bishops community experiences a flood that last for several days and cause extreme damage to homes and business in the area.
5. Tropical Storms and Hurricanes: Hurricanes pack a triple punch: high winds, soaking rain and flying debris. They can cause storm surges to coastal areas, as well as create heavy rainfall which causes flooding hundreds of miles inland. While all coastal areas are at risk, certain cities are particularly vulnerable and could have losses similar to or even greater than those caused by the 2005 hurricane, Katrina, in New Orleans and Mississippi. When hurricanes weaken into tropical storms, they generate rainfall and flooding that can be especially damaging since the rain collects in one place.
   Example: Mrs. Carlos lives in a small community in the Inland Empire. When a hurricane hits the coast, Mrs. Carlos feels safe from harm. Days later, the tropical storm system moves in and stalls over Mrs. Carlos community. Steady torrential rains from the tropical storm slowly begin to accumulate. The ground becomes saturated and storm drains are quickly overwhelmed. The community experiences a major flood that lasts for days.
   

The Cost of Flooding

BEFORE A FLOOD
Educate Yourself

After getting flood insurance, there are several things you can do to minimize losses in your home and ensure your familys safety.

1. Safeguard your possessions.
   Create a personal flood file containing information about all your possessions and keep it in a secure place, such as a safe deposit box or waterproof container. This file should have:
   A copy of your insurance policies with your agents contact information.
   A room-by-room inventory of your possessions, including receipts, photos, and videos.
   Copies of all other critical documents, including finance records or receipts of major purchases.
2. Prepare your home.
   First make sure your sump pump is working and then install a battery-operated backup, in case of a power failure. Installing a water alarm will also let you know if water is accumulating in your basement.
   Clear debris from gutters and downspouts.
   Anchor any fuel tanks.
   Raise your electrical components (switches, sockets, circuit breakers, and wiring) at least 12 inches above your homes projected flood elevation.
   Place the furnace, water heater, washer, and dryer on cement blocks at least 12 inches above the projected flood elevation.
   Move furniture, valuables, and important documents to a safe place.
3. Prepare you Business
   Plan how to stay in business, talk to your employees and protect your investment.
   Carefully assess how your company functions, both internally and externally, to determine which staff, materials, procedures and equipment are absolutely necessary to keep the business operating.
   Identify operations critical to survival and recovery.
   Plan what you will do if your building or store is not accessible.
   oConsider if you can run the business from a different location or from your home.
   oDevelop relationships with other companies to use their facilities in case a disaster makes your location unusable.
4. Develop a family emergency plan.
   Create a safety kit with drinking water, canned food, first aid, blankets, a radio, and a flashlight.
   Post emergency telephone numbers by the phone and teach your children how to dial 911.
   Plan and practice a flood evacuation route with your family. Know safe routes from home, work, and school that are on higher ground.
   Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to be your emergency family contact.
   Have a plan to protect your pets.
   DURING A FLOOD
   Protect Yourself and Your Home
   Heres what you can do to stay safe during a flood:
   If flooding occurs, go to higher ground and avoid areas subject to flooding.
   Do not attempt to walk across flowing streams or drive through flooded roadways.
   If water rises in your home before you evacuate, go to the top floor, attic, or roof.
   Listen to a battery-operated radio for the latest storm information.
   Turn off all utilities at the main power switch and close the main gas valve if advised to do so.
   If youve come in contact with floodwaters, wash your hands with soap and disinfected water.
   

AFTER A FLOOD
The Road to Recovery

As soon as floodwater levels have dropped, its time to start the recovery process. Heres what you can do to begin restoring your home.
If your home has suffered damage, call your insurance agent to file a claim.
Check for structural damage before re-entering your home to avoid being trapped in a building collapse.
Take photos of any floodwater in your home and save any damaged personal property.
Make a list of damaged or lost items and include their purchase date and value with receipts. Some damaged items may require disposal, so keep photographs of these items.
Keep power off until an electrician has inspected your system for safety.
Boil water for drinking and food preparation until authorities tell you that your water supply is safe.
Prevent mold by removing wet contents immediately.
Wear gloves and boots to clean and disinfect. Wet items should be cleaned with a pine-oil cleanser and bleach, completely dried, and monitored for several days for any fungal growth and odors.

FILE YOUR CLAIM
Dealing with the Aftermath

You'll be able to file your flood insurance claim by following these three steps:

STEP ONE:
After experiencing a flood, contact your agent or insurance company to file a claim. An adjuster should contact you within a few days of filing your claim. If you do not hear from an adjuster, you can contact your insurance agent or company again. Make sure you have the following information handy:
The name of your insurance company
Your policy number
A telephone and/or email address where you can be reached at all times

STEP TWO:
Separate damaged from undamaged property. Your adjuster will need evidence of the damage to your home and possessions to prepare your repair estimate.
Take photographs of all of the damaged property, including discarded objects, structural damage, and standing floodwater levels.
Make a list of damaged or lost items and include their date of purchase, value, and receipts, if possible.
Officials may require disposal of damaged items so, if possible, place flooded items outside of the home.

STEP THREE:
Your adjuster will provide you a Proof of Loss formyour official claim for damages. Youll need to file this claim with your insurance company within 60 days of the flood. This document substantiates the insurance claim and is required before the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or insurance company can make payment.

You'll receive your claim payment after you and the insurer agree on the amount of damages and the insurer has your complete, accurate, and signed Proof of Loss form. If major catastrophic flooding occurs, it may take longer to process claims and make payments because of the sheer number of claims submitted.

FEDERAL AND NATIONAL RESOURCES
Find additional information on how to plan and prepare for floods, what to do during and after a flood and learn about available resources by visiting the following:

Federal Emergency Management Agency
NOAA Watch
American Red Cross
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control
USA Freedom Corps Website
www.FloodSmart.gov