One of the most common, as well as costliest weather-related disasters, is flooding. Unfortunately, other than elevation, there is little to no margin of safety. Once the water reaches ground level and rises to an inch above, there is a risk of significant damage, so the best way to avoid flooding is to stay above water. It’s essential to be aware of the flood level and how high the floodwaters can rise for your home in Houston, TX. Even homes located on a hill need floodproofing, so here are a few tips provided by Insurance Over Texas to help you protect your home from flood damage.

Protect Electrical Outlets

All wiring, sockets, switches, and circuit breakers should be at the minimum, at least 12-inches above the expected level in the area. Take the time to modify the water heater, furnace, and other types of indoor and secure equipment to ensure that it is sitting above the flood level

Modify the Water Valves

A flooded system can lead to extensive back up in the house, so it’s recommended that you install a backflow valve. A gate valve is recommended because the seal is stronger than those on check or flap valves. These types of valves open automatically for the water to flow out, and then the gate closes if water tries to get in. For optimum results, you should install valves on all pipes that enter your house.

Understanding water flows around your property will allow you to adjust the sloping or grading to force the water away from your house. To determine how the water flows around the house, monitor how the water accumulates or flows during a typical rainstorm. If the area or street your house is on tends to have standing water, consider talking to your local county environmental services for suggestions on altering the water flow around your home.

Residents of Houston, TX interested in learning more about flood insurance or reviewing your current policy, contact Insurance Over Texas.

Insurance Over Texas, in Houston, TX  offers flood insurance policies, which supplements Federal flood insurance. Homeowners and renters insurance does not cover floods.   Homeowners Insurance generally covers an accidental discharge which is water damage from extinguishing a fire, unintentional damage to a heating or AC system, frozen pipes, fire protection sprinkler system going off and a leaking roof.

The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 created the National Flood Insurance Program NFIP whose goal is to alleviate the economic losses of a flood through the creation of community building standards.   Community participation in the NFIP was not mandatory, but cooperation allowed the community to purchase flood insurance to pay towards flood economic losses to manage floodplains using insurance to manage a Special Flood Hazard. Congress in 1979, created the Federal  Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  FEMA has ten regions which employ more than 14,000 employees.  FEMA’s goal is to protect Americans to survive and recover from a national disaster which is either natural, man-made, or acts of terror.  FEMA is well-known to come in action to help people overcome the effects of flooding.  

A flash flood is in low-lying areas as a result of rapid flooding that occurs within six hours between the cessation of rainfall and the onset of the flooding.   Many times the onset of as flash flood is in normally dry areas.  The flash flooding can be associated with harsh thunderstorms or tropical storms, hurricanes, water flow related to melting ice and collapsing of dams.   Texas is predisposed to floods, principally in two significant parts of the state: the coast and a broad area of Texas named Flash Flood Alley that stretches through Central and North Texas and would receive FEMA attention as a Special Flood Hazard.

The agents of insurance Over Texas in Houston,TX can both instruct its clients on how to make a flood claim with FEMA and to offer private flood insurance if FEMA’s limits are surpassed.  Please call!