Washington State Officials: Buy Flood Insurance Now

From Washington State:
As the fall and winter storm season nears, authorities are urging folks to buy flood insurance.

Most homeowners’ insurance policies don’t cover floods and there is a 30 day waiting period before flood insurance becomes effective, according to a news release from the Washington State Department of Emergency Management.

Lewis County’s flood history indicates November is the most flood-prone month, with rivers exceeding their banks most frequently during the Thanksgiving weekend.

Rains in November 2006 lifted the Upper Cowlitz River more than seven feet over its banks, causing more than $26 million damage to homes, businesses and public infrastructure in Lewis County.

Last December, hundreds of West Lewis County residents saw flooding where they had never seen it before when the Chehalis River and its tributaries rose to record levels.

Lewis County’s deputy director of emergency management, Ross McDowell, said only about 15 percent of locals who suffered damage in December had flood insurance.

McDowell emphasized that anyone can buy flood insurance, even if they don’t live near a river or creek.

Roughly one-quarter of claims paid by the National Flood Insurance Program are for homes and apartments in areas of minimal flood risk, according the state Department of Emergency Management.

The average annual cost of a policy is $400.

The Facts on Flood Insurance
The following flood coverage is available:

• Renters can cover their belongings up to $100,000.
• Homeowners can insure their belongings up to $100,000 and their homes up to $250,000.
• Owners of non-residential property can insure their buildings and contents up to $500,000.

For information on the National Flood Insurance Program:
Go to www.floodsmart.gov.