What To Know About Flood Zones

10/20/2020 (Permalink)

Understanding your house's flood zone can help you prepare for the harm caused by heavy rainstorms

What To Know About Flood Zones

Some places are more prone to flooding than others are. To find out whether your Stockertown, PA, home is at risk, you need to determine its flood zone. Flood zones designate which properties are most likely to flood during a major storm.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has created a Flood Map Service Center that lets you research flood zones. Simply click on this link to get:

• Your local flood map
• The accompanying Flood Insurance Study Report
• Other mapping products
  

The FEMA website also lets you create a customized flood map that you can save on your computer. Simply type in your city or even your specific address.

Changing Flood Zones
FEMA calculates a home's flood zone by looking at various details of the property and its elevation. If you believe your house was wrongly classified, you can send a Letter of Map Change to the agency. The later can be submitted online or via regular mail.
Protecting Your Home
Even those who live in low-risk areas need to prepare for possible floods. After all, water damage to your home can still occur no matter where you live.
Start by purchasing flood insurance. Your homeowners' policy likely does not include flood coverage, but you can get a separate flood policy from the federal government.
You should also have a flood preparation plan in place. Make sure that you and your family know where to go and what to do if the water level starts to rise. Gather supplies and store them in a safe place that you can quickly access in an emergency.
Finally, research the contact information for your local water damage repair company. You may need to call restoration experts if your home sustains severe flooding.
Understanding your house's flood zone can help you prepare for the harm caused by heavy rainstorms. Still, even if you live in a low-risk zone, you should take steps to secure your property.