With the potential for flooding, FEMA encourages residents to review flood insurance policies

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
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The National Weather Service indicates there is a potential for Missouri to once again experience flooding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency reports last year’s damage repairs are ongoing.

FEMA calls its National Flood Insurance Program “a great way” to protect homes, businesses, or personal property. The National Flood Insurance Program reports just six inches of water can cause $52,000 in damage to a home. The National Flood Insurance Program paid more than 70 million dollars in flood insurance claims to Missouri policyholders for damage in 2019.

FEMA encourages residents and business owners to review their current flood insurance coverage or consider purchasing a flood insurance policy. The agency notes most homeowners and business multi-peril policies do not cover flood damage, and a new policy takes 30 days to go into effect.

Individuals and businesses are encouraged to ask several questions:

  • If a policy is in place, is the coverage amount adequate?
  • Do you have both structure and contents policies?
  • Do you rent? If so, you can buy coverage for personal property.

FEMA reports flood insurance can pay up to $250,000 for damage to a house and up to $100,000 for contents. Business owners can purchase coverage up to $500,000 for structures and up to $500,000 for contents. Flood insurance pays for covered flood damage regardless of if there is a federal disaster declaration. The average cost of a National Flood Insurance Program policy for homeowners is about $700. Anyone can buy flood insurance if a community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program no matter where a home or business is located. Almost 25% of flood insurance claims come from areas not considered at high risk for flooding.

Soil saturation is above average for this time of year. Snowmelt runoff from the Rocky Mountains and ice jams on northern rivers contribute to the amount and force of water flowing through the Missouri and Mississippi river systems.

Missouri residents are encouraged to call their insurance agent to review current policies or ask about new policies for flooding. The National Flood Insurance Program Help Center can be reached from 7 o’clock in the morning to 6 o’clock in the evening at 800-427-4661 extension 4.


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