Flood Insurance for Homes in Low-Risk Areas

If your home isn’t on the coast or near a river or lake, you might not currently carry flood insurance. One common reason homeowners skip it is that their mortgage lender simply doesn’t require it. However, many areas once considered low-risk are now experiencing new flooding risks that aren’t always fully reflected in FEMA’s flood maps.

The "100-Year" Flood Plain

FEMA maps outline the boundaries of known floodplains that have experienced flooding at least once in the past 100 years. Some of these areas are obvious, like near the ocean or a river. But due to shifting weather patterns, new risks are emerging in places these maps don’t always account for.

It’s worth discussing these risks with your agent at Stewart Agency Inc. in Elmira, NY. Here are a few examples worth considering.

Torrential Rain

Intense rainfall events are one example of an evolving flood risk. When an area experiences an unusually large amount of rain in a short period of time, flooding can occur even in places that rarely see it.

High Winds and Storm Surge

Even homes somewhat inland from the ocean can experience storm surge if winds are strong enough. Rather than water levels simply rising, powerful storm winds can push water further inland than expected.

Mudslides and Sinkholes

Sometimes it’s difficult to tell whether flooding or earth movement caused damage to a home, and in some cases, both can be at work. Dam failures near an earthquake fault are another scenario worth considering.

These are all good reasons to consider flood insurance, even if your home sits in what’s currently classified as a low-risk area.

Reach out to us at Stewart Agency Inc. in Elmira, NY. We can help with all your flood and home insurance needs.

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