It appears the messages worked. FEMA earlier this month released data on National Flood Insurance Programpolicies showing asizable increase in NFIP policies written in California during November 2015,ajump FEMA credited to the anticipation of apowerful El Niño slamming the state with storms.Thereisa30- to 90-dayperiod for newpolicies to be reported to FEMA, but the latestavailable data showedanincrease of 28,084 newflood insurance policies purchased in California from Aug. 31 through Nov. 30,2015. That 12% increase is the firstofits kindinrecent history,according to FEMA. The previous reporting period showedpolicycounts rose 3% lastyear from Aug. 31 to Oct. 31. During that timeframe, 7,181 newfederal flood insurance policies were written in California. FEMA administers the NFIP and works with morethan 80 private insurance companies to offer flood insurance to homeowners,renters and business owners.
TimWeidenkeller,anagent with Farmers Insurance, has benefited both from FEMA’s efforts and the wet, blustery conditions that arrived with the newyear.Weidenkeller has fielded numerous calls from homeowners interested in buying flood insurance. He’s been rapidlyquoting and selling NFIP’spreferred policy, which costs $430 per year.That provides maximum dwelling coverageof$250,000,aswell as $100,000
personal property coverage. The deductible is $1,250.The preferred policyisfor homes that aren’tinareas highlyprone to flooding. Most of Southern California is in the preferred area. Prices head into the thousand-dollar-plus rangefor homes in and around flood zones and flood insurance is usuallymandatory for homes with amortgageinthose areas. Thereisa30-daywaiting period on mostflood policies.
Whybuy if you’re notinaflood zone?People with good memories will recall that during the lastElNiño from2009 to 2010 neighborhoods that weren’tevennear the ocean, rivers or streams experienced flooding from backed up storm drains or overrun creeks.That was considered amoderate El Niño.Forecasters have predicted this year’s El Niño will rank among the strongestonrecord.
“If there’savolume of rain that’sjustrelentlessnoone reallyknows if they’resafe,”Weidenkeller said. Manyhomes areonlyafew feet above gutters,which maybeeasilyoverwhelmed by agood downpour.
Flood insurance maynot be needed, but it will be sorelymissed if it is,Weidenkeller said.
He also advises good preparedness.Homeowners should makesure roofs areingood shape, caulking around windows is in place, and ensuring gutters in streetsand rain gutters on roofs arecleared.
