THE IMPORTANCE OF FLOOD INSURANCE

                     Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in response to
                     the rising cost of taxpayer funded disaster relief for flood victims and the
                     increasing amount of damage caused by floods.

                     The Mitigation Division which is a component of the Federal Emergency
                     Management Agency (FEMA) manages the NFIP and overlooks the floodplain
                     management and mapping components of the program.

                     Over 20,000 communities across the USA participates in the NIFP, adopting and
                     enforcing floodplain management ordinances to reduce future flood damage.

                     Flood damage is reduced by nearly $1 billion yearly through partnerships with
                     communities insurance industry and the lending industry. Also, buildings
                     constructed in compliance with building standards suffer about 80% less
                     damage annually than those not built on compliance.

                     For secured financing to buy, build or improve structures in Special Flood
                     Hazard Area (SFHA), you will be required to purchase flood insurance. 
                     Lending institutions that are federally registered and insured must determine
                     if the structure is located in a SFHA.

                     Flood insurance is available to any property owner located in a community
                     participating in NIFP. Flooding can be caused by heavy raining, melting snow,
                     inadequate drainage systems and failed protective devices such as levees and
                     dams, as well as, tropical storms and hurricanes.
                                        

                           WHAT IS A FLOOD?

                            Floods are the most widespread and common of all natural disasters - except
                       fire. Many communities in the United States have experienced some sort of
                       flooding, due to rainfalls, thunderstorms, or winter snow thaws.

                       As defined by the National Flood Insurance Program, flood is: "A general
                       and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more
                       acres of normally dry land area or of two or more properties (at least one of
                       which is your property) from:

                       [The] collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or similar
                       body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or
                       currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels that result in a flood."

WHAT SHOULD I DO BEFORE A FLOOD?

                      Buy flood insurance. The law may require it, but the laws of nature demand it.
                      Flooding can happen anywhere, anytime. Everyone lives in a flood zone! The
                      many different flood zones throughout the United States have different levels
                      of risk.

                      Understand and know your flood zone. This helps you understand the risk
                      of financial loss. It is also important information to consider when purchasing
                      flood insurance.         

                       There are other things you can do before a flood to minimize potential loss,
                      to your home and ensure your family's safety, besides insuring your property.

          1.    Document all your important possession with a camera or video recorder. In the
            event your home is flood-damaged, these documents will help you file a
            full flood insurance claim.

           2.   Post emergency telephone numbers by the phone.

                 3.    Keep important documents and irreplaceable personal objects (such as
            photographs) where they won't get destroyed.

           4.   Plan and practice a flood evacuation routine with your family.

                  5.   If your dryer and washer are in the basement, move them to a masonry or
            pressure-treated lumber about 12" above the projected flood elevation.

                  6.   Install backflow valves or plugs to toilets, drains, and other sewer connections
            to prevent floodwaters from entering.

            7.  Commission a licensed electrician to raise electric components (switches,
            circuit breakers, sockets and wiring) about 12" above your home's projected
            flood elevation.

                    8.  Anchor fuel tanks. An unanchored tank in your basement can be torn free
            by flood waters, and the broken supply line can contaminate your basement.
            An unanchored tank outside can be swept downstream, where it can damage
            other houses.

            9. Place the water heater and furnace on masonry blocks or concrete about 12"
           above the projected flood elevation.
 

      WHAT SHOULD I DO DURING A FLOOD?

                   You've done everything in your power to prepare for a flood. You've
                   secured a flood insurance policy, and made your home flood-ready. You've
                   become "flood smart."

                   If the floodwaters are rising, and there's nothing you can do to stop them.
                   You can do the following to make sure your family stays safe until
                   the water levels drop. 

                        Listen to a battery-operated radio for the latest updates on the storm.

              Fill sinks, bathtubs and jugs with clean water in the event the water
         becomes contaminated.

                       Follow the local authorities' instruction. If they ask you to turn off all
         utilities at the main power switch and close the main gas valve, do it.

                      If you are told to evacuate your home, do so immediately.

                     Move to the second floor, attic or the roof if the waters start to rise
        inside your house before you have evacuated.

                     If you've come in contact with contaminated floodwaters, wash your hands
        with soap and disinfected water.

            Don't drive through a flooded area. If you come upon a flooded road, turn
        around and go another way. A car can be carried away by just 2 feet of flood
       water.

            Electric current passes through water very easily, so stay away from downed
       power lines and electrical wires.

            Look out for animals - especially snakes. Animals lose their homes in floods, too.

        
         WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER A FLOOD?

                 If your community has been flooded and your property has suffered flood damage,
                 try to stay calm and safe.

                 Follow the instructions below: 

                    First, if your home has suffered damage, file a claim with your flood insurance
       agent.  

             If you are unable to stay in your home, make sure you say where you can be
        reached.

            Take photos of flooded areas of your house to make filing your claim easier. Try
       to save damaged personal property; place these items outside the home if
       necessary. An insurance adjuster will need to see what's been damaged in order to
       process your claim.

            Check for structural damage before re-entering your home. If there is a chance
       that  the building is collapsing, don't go in there. 

            Gas maybe trapped inside, so don't use matches, cigarette lighters or other
       open flames if you go inside your property. In the event you smell gas or hear
       hissing, open a window, leave quickly, and call the gas company from a neighbor's
       home.

             Shut the power off until an electrician has inspected your system for safety.

             Check for water line and sewage damage. If there are signs of damage, avoid
        using the toilets and the tap and call a plumber.

             Boil water for drinking and food preparation until local authorities declare your
        water supply to be safe. 

             Food , including can goods, that has come in contact with floodwaters should be
        thrown away.

             Follow local building codes and ordinances when rebuilding. Use flood-resistant
        materials and techniques to protect your property from future flood damage.
                     

BUY FLOOD INSURANCE

                      One of the most crucial things to do to protect your home and family before
                      a flood is to purchase a flood insurance policy.

                     You can buy your flood insurance by just calling our office at (718) 848-7610
                     and speak to one our qualified agent or visit our office at 108-05 Liberty
                     Avenue, Richmond Hill, NY 11419.

                     Flood insurance is guaranteed through the National Flood Insurance Program
                     (NFIP), administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Your
                     homeowner's insurance does not cover flood damage.

                           Don't wait until you're hit by a flood to purchase your policy. It regularly
           takes 30 days after purchase for a flood insurance policy to go into effect.

                     It's an excellent idea to have the same agent who writes your homeowners or
                     other insurances to write your flood insurance policy so that in the event you
                     need to file a claim, you have to deal with only one insurance agency.
 

HOW YOU TO PAY FOR FLOOD INSURANCE  

                      You can pay the full annual premium for flood insurance with a credit card (we
                      accept all major credit cards). You can also pay by cash, check or money order.

Copyright © 2004 Main Street Insurance Agency
108-05 Liberty Avenue . Richmond Hill . NY . 11419
Tel: 718-848-7610
Fax: 718-848-1375
Last modified: 07-07-05 03:47 PM -0400