Did you know that just four inches of flooding can cause at least $15,000 in damage? Yep. It’s true and based on the items that are damaged, that cost could be much more, maybe even priceless. Floods can happen in a flash and unfortunately there is nothing you can do to prevent your home from being flooded in a storm. The only thing you can do to guarantee coverage is to obtain flood insurance. Flood insurance would cover the costs to repair and replace what had been damaged in a storm. Over the years, hurricanes have been getting closer and stronger to Maryland. Can you agree that after Isabel, Irene, Sandy, and the others we’re bound to get hit hard soon? We think so. If your home is destroyed in a hurricane, most likely if you don’t have flood insurance, you won’t be covered. Most people think it’s the wind that normally damages the house, which yes wind does do a good amount of damage, but it’s the floods that cause homes to be destroyed. The force of the rapid water is just too much for the house and water damage is very hard to fix. This normally results in having to tear a house down. If you didn’t have flood insurance, you could be stuck paying for that new home, as it wouldn’t be covered in your insurance policy since flood damage is not covered in any home owner’s policy. Flood insurance has a 30 day wait period as well, so don’t think you can just get the protection right before the storm hits. Flood insurance is the only way to ensure your home is fully protected. It takes just days for a hurricane to reach us. Make sure your protected today! If you have any questions please feel free to contact us today.
BEFORE A FLOOD
- Flood Disaster PreparednessPrepare an emergency kit and make a family communications plan. (Click Here)
- Avoid building in floodplains unless structure is elevated and reinforced.
- Elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel.
- Consider installing “check valves” to prevent floodwater back ups.
- Construct barriers to stop floodwater from entering the building and seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds.
OR CLICK THE LINKS LOCATED IN THE MAP FOR LIVE UPDATES
DRIVING TIPS
- Six inches of water will stall or cause control issues in most passenger vehicles.
- A foot of water will float many passenger vehicles.
- Two feet of rushing water can carry away most passenger vehicles including SUV’s and pick-ups.
- Never attempt to drive through a flooded road, depth is not always obvious and the roadbed may be washed away under the surface.
- Do not drive around barricades.
- Do not try to take short cuts and stick to designated evacuation routes.
- Avoid driving at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.
Download our Flood Information Here:
The Maryland landscape includes a lot of water.. Whether it be the Chesapeake Bay, Atlantic Ocean, Potomac River, and a host of other rivers, creeks, and streams that feed into the bay.. Sometimes around here all you need is a regular afternoon thunderstorm, not even a natural disaster to cause flooding. You also may even think because you live miles away from any body of water you’re safe, well you’re wrong. Did you know that 25% of all flood insurance claims come from supposedly “safe” areas outside of the flood zone? Floods can affect anyone in the state of Maryland, at any day or time. Contact us today if you have any questions about flood protection.
