The best time to prepare for a hurricane or tropical storm is 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 people in Hampton Roads communities understand what insuring their homes, businesses, or rental properties may cost, McFarlane and local municipal planners and emergency management staff developed the GetFloodfluent.org website and Flood Insurance Estimator.
The free tool provides a user with an estimate of how much it would cost to insure their home and belongings from flooding, considering their home’s distance to local waterways, ground elevation, first-floor height, foundation type, and other building characteristics.
“Standard homeowners’ insurance does not cover flooding,” said McFarlane. “And while the forecast of potential ‘big weather’ events is concerning, it does not even have to rain in Hampton Roads for flooding to occur. It can happen due to high tides and the direction of the wind, which can easily devastate homes and businesses in the rising water’s path.”
Updated tool and helpful resources are available for free
The HRPDC staff refreshed the free Flood Insurance Estimator tool last year to align with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) update of the National Flood Insurance Program’s risk-rating methodology, Risk Rating 2.0. As a result, it provides a more targeted, unique cost estimate based on the user answering a few questions.
“We see the calculator as a reliable, local resource for obtaining a quick estimate before meeting with an insurance agent,” McFarlane said.
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, typically in low-interest loans that must be repaid.
“The damage of just one inch of water in your home can cost more than $25,000 in repairs,” McFarlane said. “You could hope flooding will not impact you. Or you can protect yourself from devastating loss by signing up for flood insurance.”
The official hurricane season for the Atlantic basin is from June 1 to November 30, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
In addition to hosting the Flood Insurance Estimator, GetFloodFluent.org has a wealth of information to help residents and business owners understand the impacts of local flooding—and how to prepare their homes to withstand flooding events throughout the year. Visit getfloodfluent.org for details.
For homes and business properties
- Keep a proper grade around the structure’s foundation. This will protect your home from water damage, which plays a significant role in landscape management. Poor grading can lead to standing water in the yard. This can kill grass, attract pests, and create breeding grounds for mosquitoes. A contractor specializing in grading and leveling land can help.
- Have downspouts direct water away from the structure toward grassy areas. Improperly functioning downspouts will cause rainwater to accumulate around the foundation, leading to soil erosion, basement seepage, and structural damage.
- Collect roof runoff in rain barrels to reduce the water that flows from your property. Use the “free” water later to water plants.
- Maintain a regular schedule of cleaning drains and gutters, to avoid rain damage to the siding and foundation.
- Elevate critical systems, such as HVAC compressors, and consider permeable patio pavers (space between the pavers allows water to seep into the ground), stone, crushed shells, or gravel instead of sidewalks and paving.
- Install flood vents to help water flow through the structure if flooding occurs, preventing structural damage to the foundation.
- Build smart by adding new structures outside the flood risk area.
For lawn and landscape
- Use French drains. Dig a slightly sloped trench and fill it with gravel and a pipe to divert water from the home.
- Plant native trees and shrubs. Trees and plants stabilize the soil and soak up rainwater, preventing rapid run-off that can overwhelm ditches and stormwater pipes. Native plants, which are acclimated to an area’s climate, will thrive better than non-native species.
- Create a rain garden. Select and plant native, deep-rooted species in a shallow depression near flood-prone areas, to capture and absorb rainwater and runoff.
For renters
- Before signing a lease, ask the leasing company about the current flood risk of the property and whether the structure is covered by flood insurance.
- Consider signing up for flood insurance to cover the cost of replacing your belongings if flooding occurs.
Whether you own or rent your property, stay informed and follow these steps if flooding is forecast or occurs:
- Know your zone. Look up your evacuation zone, which differs from your flood hazard zone. This will help you if government officials order an evacuation.
- Store important items at higher elevations, such as small valuables and vital documents.
- Do not walk or drive in flood waters. Many deaths occur when cars or people are swept downstream in a flooded roadway. Whether on foot or in the car, the best advice is to “turn around, don’t drown.”
- Stay informed. Tune in to local news and stay updated about the latest weather conditions.
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.