IBHS Flooding Brochure

At a glance..

Floods happen, and they happen beside rivers, on the coast, in deserts and in city streets. It's never too early to prepare and you can take several basic steps right now to protect your family and your home from disaster.

The details..

"Protect Your Home Against Flood Damage" is an informative guide that provides readers with essential information on how to safeguard their homes against flooding. It covers everything from preparing for a flood to preventing damage and staying safe during one.

The book emphasizes the importance of checking if your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as well as determining whether you live in a Special Flood Hazard Area or not. The authors explain that homeowners insurance policies do not cover damages caused by floods; therefore, it's crucial to purchase coverage either directly from NFIP or participating insurers.

Readers will also learn about base flood elevation (BFE), which refers to the expected flooding level in their area. The book advises consulting local building authorities for BFEs and property surveys for lowest floor elevations so they can take appropriate measures such as elevating their entire house above BFE levels using design standards that meet minimum requirements set forth by their communities' local floodplain management building ordinance.

Lastly, "Protect Your Home Against Flood Damage" offers practical tips on what homeowners can do when faced with an imminent threat of flooding such as becoming familiar with disaster preparedness plans, creating a family plan identifying escape routes from home/neighborhoods/emergency meeting places/contact points etc., putting together emergency kits including three-day supply drinking water/food/non-perishable items/portable NOAA weather radio/wrench/basic tools/flashlight/work gloves/emergency cooking equipment/fresh batteries/clothing/blankest/baby items/prescription medications/car/house keys/glasses/credit cards/cash/documents like insurance policies etc., following weather/news reports obeying evacuation orders issued by local authorities.