It is the weather forecast that increases one’s adrenaline—a tropical storm or hurricane is heading your way. The “Category” 1-5 labels will give you an idea of the storm’s wind damage potential. But it does not necessarily correlate to the magnitude of its storm surge, rainfall and other conditions, which can be just as devastating.
The best time to prepare for a hurricane or tropical storm is well before activity in the tropics heats up and heads north to Virginia. A good precautionary first step is for homeowners and business owners to protect their properties by purchasing flood insurance, according to Ben McFarlane, Chief Resilience Officer with the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC).
To help Hampton Roads communities understand what insuring their home, business or rental property may cost, McFarlane and local municipal planners and emergency management staff developed the GetFloodfluent.org website and free Flood Insurance Estimator. The app provides users with an assessment of insuring their home and belongings from flooding, considering their home’s distance to local waterways, ground elevation, first-floor height and foundation type.
“The damage of just one inch of water in your home can cost more than $25,000 in repairs, and standard homeowners’ insurance does not cover flooding,” said McFarlane. “We encourage people not to wait; there’s no time like the present to protect your home from flooding, whether it’s a result of storm surge, high tides or sustained winds.”
McFarlane also wants residents to know that the uninsured cannot rely on federal disaster assistance after a flooding event. Relief is only available following a presidential disaster declaration, generally as a low-interest loan that must be repaid.
According to The Weather Channel, slow-moving storms can prolong impacts, particularly flooding. And fast-moving storms mean there’s less time to prepare. For these reasons, it’s critical to have plans to “batten down the hatches” to evacuate quickly and efficiently.
Steps to take in advance of tropical and hurricane weather conditions:
- Shore up your property by clearing gutters of debris, moving lawn furniture inside, and placing sandbags if needed to divert water from the home’s foundation.
- Move interior items up to higher floors if needed.
- Develop an evacuation plan and coordinate these plans with family members.
- Make a list of essential items you will need for leaving the area, including medications, pet food/crates, IDs and important papers—including your home insurance/flood insurance policies.
- Document and store important files and keepsakes in a safe location.
Before evacuating
- Know your evacuation zone, which is different from your flood hazard zone.
- Stay tuned to local forecasts and evacuation updates.
- Prepare your evacuation kit, with essential items you will need for you and your pets.
- Place important documents in waterproof containers or digitally back them up if you have time.
- Fill vehicles with gas and charge cell phones.
- Turn off utilities, including gas, electricity and water before the storm hits.
- Leave as soon as directed by local officials, or before to avoid congested exit routes.
- Let family or loved ones know of your plans.
What to do if flooding occurs in your home
- Call your insurance provider right away to report the damage.
- Avoid contact with flood water, which may contain sewage and other contaminants.
- Discard items that may prove a health risk, such as food, clothing, rugs, etc., that are wet.
- Check for structural damage and foundation cracks; note these for insurance purposes.
- Look for downed power lines, and report any to your local utility company.
- Make any temporary repairs you can before your insurance kicks in.
How to get flood insurance coverage
- First, contact your current insurance agent to see if they offer flood insurance. If they do, ask for this specific quote. If they do not provide it, contact the National Flood Insurance Program’s Help Center at 1-800-427-4611 for a referral.
- There is no time like the present to sign up. There is a 30-day waiting period before your flood insurance policy goes into effect … so do not wait!
- For more information and to access the free Flood Insurance Estimator, visit getfloodfluent.org/flood-insurance-estimator.
About GetFloodFluent.org – An initiative of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, GetFloodFluent.org was developed by an advisory group comprised of municipal planners and emergency management staff representing all 17 local jurisdictions in Hampton Roads. Their goal is to make residents aware of the facts associated with flooding in the region and encourage them to act responsibly by making sure their homes and businesses are covered by flood insurance.
