The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is pleased to support The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-sponsored 2007 National Flood Safety Awareness Week, which takes place from March 19-23. Within this week, Thursday, March 22 is Flood Insurance Day—the perfect time to remind residents about their flood risks, how to prepare and protect themselves as winter rainy season ends, and spring thaw, snowmelt, and hurricane season begins.

“Flooding is the nation’s number one natural disaster, occurring both inland and on the coast. It’s important to note that flash floods, inland flooding and seasonal storms flood every region of the country,” said David Maurstad, Director of FEMA's Mitigation Division and Federal Insurance Administrator. Twenty to 25 percent of all flood insurance claims are filed in low-to-moderate flood-risk areas. 

FEMA recommends that people make sure they have the right insurance: Review your insurance policies and find out what they do and do not cover. Learn the difference between replacement cost coverage versus standard coverage, which only pays the actual cash value of insured property. Be sure that you have enough insurance to cover recent home renovations or improvements. Know that most homeowners insurance polices do not cover flood damage, so be sure to consider flood insurance for both your structure and its contents. There is typically a 30 day waiting period for a flood insurance policy to take effect. Learn more by visiting www.FloodSmart.gov and www.Fema.gov.

Flood Safety Awareness Week March 19-23 (FEMA 3/16/07)

March 20, 2007