Flood Information

Flood Insurance Facts

Homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover damages caused by flooding. However, because our City participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), you can purchase a separate flood insurance policy. This insurance is backed by the Federal government and is available to everyone, even for properties that have been flooded.

Our City also participates in the Community Rating System (CRS) program of the NFIP. The CRS rewards communities that undertake flood damage mitigation and public awareness activities beyond the NFIP requirements. As a result, all flood insurance policies issued for properties in the SFHA (above the Base Flood Elevation) receive a 10% discount.

Many people have purchased flood insurance as a requirement when they obtained a mortgage or home improvement loan. Usually these policies just cover the building (structure) and not the contents. During the kind of flooding that happens in our City, there is usually more damage to the furniture and contents than there is to the structure. At last count, there were 6,972 flood insurance policies in effect in our City. If you are covered, check the amount and extent of the coverage, and make sure you have coverage for contents. Renters can purchase contents coverage even if the owner does not insure the structure. Remember that even if the last flood missed you or you have done some floodproofing or retrofitting, the next flood could be worse. The time to determine whether you have sufficient flood insurance to protect your investment is not during a storm event, but well before there is a threat. Please take time to review all of your insurance policies with your insurance provider. There is a 30-day waiting period before the policy becomes effective.