Flooding is the number one natural disaster in the United States in terms of lives lost and damage to property. Of the nearly 550 major disaster declarations in the United States over the past 10 years, more than 310 of the declarations involved flooding.
“Unfortunately, many people think their regular homeowner’s insurance covers their property in the event of a flood. That’s simply not the case. To be protected against flooding you must have flood insurance..
Flood insurance is available to homeowners, business owners, and renters. Policies offer up to $250,000 coverage for homeowners, up to $100,000 for personal property and up to $500,000 each for business contents and buildings.
Michael L. Parker, the federal official in charge of disaster recovery in Mississippi, urges people to purchase flood insurance. He said, “Don’t be misled by the myth that the federal government will be available with adequate funding to make you whole again in the event you suffer serious damage during a disaster. Only those individuals who have flood insurance or who are able to make a low-interest disaster loan will have that ability.”
Purchasing flood insurance isn’t restricted to those living in Special Flood Hazard Areas. The only requirement is that residents and businesses are located in a community participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
For more information or to find an insurance agent near you who sells flood insurance, visit www.floodsmart.gov, or call the NFIP’s toll-free number 1-888-FLOOD29. The hearing- or speech-impaired should call TTY 1-800-427-5593.
