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News
Many
Iowans
Unprepared for Possible Flooding
Posted 12 March
2010
As parts of Iowa
continue recovery efforts following the 2008 floods, the melting mounds
of snow, rainfall and increasing temperatures are causing rivers to
swell statewide. Yet again this year cities, towns and fields are
threatened by flooding. But only a small portion of Iowa’s population
is prepared with flood insurance.
As a result, Governor Chet Culver declared March Flood Awareness Month
in an effort to educate people about flood insurance and disaster
precautions so they can prepare for possible floods, particularly in
high risk areas. The risk is highest in the Des Moines, Raccoon, Iowa
and Cedar River basins.
There are more than 53,000 homes, businesses and other structures in
Iowa’s high risk flood plain areas. Only 8,870 structures in those
areas have flood insurance. There are only 15,360 flood insurance
policies statewide. Flood insurance is especially important because
most home insurance policies to do not cover flood damage. However,
there is a 30-day waiting period before flood insurance is activated,
so it won’t cover damage that occurs within 30 days of purchasing the
insurance. Since there is flooding potential throughout spring, flood
insurance is still a necessary precaution.
“Because of the high chance of flooding this spring, getting flood
insurance should be a priority for Iowans,” said Bill Ehm, the DNR’s
water quality coordinator. “Especially after the floods of 2008, we
need to be prepared. Acting sooner is better than later.”
Earlier this month, the National Weather Service warned that most of
Iowa is at risk for significant flooding because of potentially
fast-melting snow and heavy rain levels expected throughout spring and
possibly into summer.
Iowans can purchase flood insurance for homes or businesses as long as
the community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program
(NFIP). Right now, 517 Iowa communities participate. Visit the Rebuild
Iowa Office’s website at www.rio.iowa.gov
to see if your community is enrolled in the program.
To calculate your estimated premiums and flood insurance rate, visit www.floodsmart.gov. As a
comparison, the site also shows how much potential flood damage could
cost without flood insurance. The average flood insurance policy in
Iowa cost around $750 annually.
While flood insurance is important, there are other ways to minimize
the effects of flooding. As part of Flood Awareness Month, the Rebuild
Iowa Office, the Iowa Insurance Division, the Iowa Department of
Natural Resources and the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency
Management Division will share safety tips and other important
information about floods with the public and media.
To prepare for flooding, it’s best to take pictures of your home and
record model and serial numbers to make filing claims easier. Also, be
aware of drainage channels and other areas known to flood suddenly in
your area, and plan how to quickly and effectively vacate your home in
case of an emergency. For more flood precaution tips, visit www.bereadyiowa.org.
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