In the wake of all the tragedy associated with Hurricane Harvey, and the devastation it continues to bring to Texas and the Gulf, many people have been wondering what they can do to protect their home from a flood. While flooding like what has happened in Houston and Beaumont is rare (although it is happening with increasing frequency and ferocity) and, in many cases, impossible to guard against, just a small amount of water can have big consequences. These 8 tips can help you and your home stay safe.
1. Look into flood insurance
People who live in an area that is more prone to flooding may be better prepared if they are required to have insurance and take certain precautions. Although, we learned from Harvey that only 15 percent of those who lived in massive, hardest-hit Harris County were actually covered by the National Flood Insurance Program. These policies are necessary if you live in a "100 year flood" zone, although enforcement is clearly lacking.
But in a time when climate change is creating increasingly unpredictable and powerful storms, "no state or territory is safe, according to FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency," said Bankrate.
That means that everyone should be looking at their insurance policies and what they are currently covered for. "Most people think they're covered for flooding with their homeowner's insurance policy. But they're not," said Houselogic. "You must buy a separate flood insurance policy to be covered. Only 18% of homeowners in low-to-moderate risk areas have flood insurance. Of those that have it, 1 in 5 have made a claim."
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