Preparing for Possible Spring Flooding
You may be ready to enjoy the extra daylight hours since the clocks changed but are you ready for the threat of flooding that the warmer weather brings? With all the snow we’ve had this winter, there is an above-normal chance of flooding this spring as the snowpack begins to melt. This heavy snowpack can lead to rapid snowmelt as temperatures begin to rise increasing the risk of flooding, especially if we continue to get more snow or heavy rains through the beginning of the spring months. An early spring thaw can produce large amounts of runoff water in a short period of time. The frozen ground prevents the melting snow or rainfall from seeping into the ground. The water runs off the surface to flow into lakes, streams and rivers causing excess water to overflow their banks.
National Flood Awareness Week is March 15-21, 2015. On average, flooding causes more property damage in the United States than any other weather related event. The National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have prepared many articles about the importance of preparing for a flood and the actions you should take when faced with a flooding situation. Please visit their website to find out more.
Consider purchasing flood insurance for your home and contents as home insurance does not cover flooding or ground and surface waters. Your Bearingstar agent can provide you with a quote for insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program(NFIP), which is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Flood insurance is easily available and you don’t need to be in a flood zone to purchase flood insurance. In most cases, there is a 30 day waiting period for a policy to take effect, so it’s important to buy insurance before the flood waters start to rise.
Learn more about flood insurance at Bearingstar.
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