What To Know About Flood Zones and Your Home

11/13/2019 (Permalink)

Flooded home in Amberly Village, OH

Learn How Flood Zones Can Affect Your Home

If you live in an area such as Amberly Village, OH, where your home experiences frequent storms, then you may be wondering if you’re at high flood risk. One way to know this is to determine if your home is located in a flood zone. Here are a few things you may wish to know about these zones and how they affect your home.

1. What Are Flood Zones

Flood zones are areas that exhibit geographic qualities that make them more prone to flooding. This may include being at the bottom of a watershed, coastal areas, areas near rivers, and areas that experience frequent storms. FEMA sets these risk levels and they should be marked on your local communities Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), which you can look at by going to your local zoning office.

2. Is Flood Insurance Necessary

In the event your home is determined to be at risk by its position in a flood zone, you may be wondering what, if any, addition insurance will be required. The best way to determine this is to talk to your insurance agent about what’s included in your existing plan, and if any supplemental plans are available for additional coverage. It’s important to note than in many cases flood insurance is considered to be a separate policy.

3. How to Deal with a Flood in the Home

If a storm does cause flooding in your home then it's best to contact a flood damage restoration service as quickly as possible. These professionals have the tools necessary to move large quantities of water, and can also make any repairs your home may need. The restoration team can also check for any additional problems flood water may cause, such as potential mold growth.

As explained earlier flood zones are areas that exhibit geographic qualities that make them more prone to a flood. It’s important to note that in some cases having a home inside a flood zone can affect your flood insurance coverage. If your home does experience flooding it's best to contact a professional as quickly as possible for any repairs.