Do I need flood insurance in my area?

If your home is in a high-risk flood zone (Zones A or V on FEMA flood maps ), your lender will likely require flood insurance. These areas have at least a 1% chance of flooding each year, which adds up over the life of a 30-year mortgage. While flood insurance is optional for most homeowners, if you have a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender and your home or business is in a high-risk area, you’re legally required to buy flood insurance. Even if you’re not in a high-risk area, FEMA states that one in three flood claims comes from outside high-risk zones . Heavy rain, melting snow, or clogged storm drains can cause flooding almost anywhere, so having flood insurance can help protect you from unexpected costs that a standard homeowners policy won’t cover. To know if you need flood insurance coverage: Check your address on FEMA’s Flood Map Service or FloodSmart.gov . Review your lender’s requirements if you have a mortgage. Consider your personal risk tolerance. Even outside flood zones, insurance can provide valuable peace of mind and an extra layer of protection alongside basic safety during a flood.

What is the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is run by FEMA and was created to make flood insurance more widely available and affordable. National Flood Insurance Program coverage comes in two main parts: Building coverage protects the structure of your home, including the foundation, electrical and plumbing systems, built-in appliances, and major equipment like furnaces and water heaters. Contents coverage helps replace personal belongings such as furniture, clothing, and electronics if they’re damaged by a flood. However, NFIP policies don’t cover everything. For example, they won’t pay for temporary housing if you’re displaced, or upgrades to make your home more flood-resistant after damage. Still, you’ll have a safety net that helps you rebuild your home and replace your belongings.

How To Prepare for a Flood: A Step-by-Step Emergency Plan

By the Mercury Team

Floods are one of nature’s most unpredictable and destructive forces, often striking with little warning. Understanding how to prepare for a flood can make a big difference in protecting your home, your finances, and your family’s safety. With the right plan in place, you can reduce risk, respond quickly, and recover more effectively. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps necessary to prepare for a flood, from creating a plan to understanding your insurance options.

Why Flood Preparation Matters for Every Homeowner

Flooding doesn’t just affect coastal regions or designated high-risk zones. Heavy rain or prolonged wet weather, clogged storm drains, and rapid snowmelt can cause flood damage almost anywhere. Taking steps to prepare before a flood happens can be one of the most effective ways to reduce long-term damage and disruption.

“Flooding is one of the most common and costly natural disasters in the U.S., yet many homeowners underestimate their exposure,” says Larry Anderson, Director, Underwriting Operations. “It’s important to understand that most standard home insurance policies do not cover flood damage, so homeowners should make sure they have the proper coverage in place.”

Step 1: Understand Your Flood Risk

Just because you don’t live on the coast or near a body of water doesn’t guarantee immunity from flooding.

Flood Zones and Local Risks

Start by identifying your property’s flood risk. FEMA flood maps categorize areas into zones such as A or V (high-risk), which carry at least a 1% annual chance of flooding. If you own a home in one of these areas, your mortgage company likely requires you to carry flood insurance. Keep in mind, however, that 40% flood claims occur outside high-risk areas, according to FEMA.

Types of Floods, Including Flash Floods

Flooding can take several forms, from slow-rising river floods to sudden flash flood events triggered by intense rainfall. Flash floods are especially dangerous because they develop quickly and leave little time to react, reinforcing the importance of early flood preparation.

Step 2: Create a Family Emergency Flood Plan

Since floods can happen quickly, it’s important to create a family emergency plan that all members of your household can use.

Communication and Evacuation Routes

When a flood strikes, you may need to leave your home quickly. That’s where a family evacuation plan comes into play. Start by identifying safe routes out of your home and neighborhood. Pick a couple of meeting points — one near your home and another further away in case you need to evacuate the area entirely. Communication is key during an emergency, so make sure everyone knows how to stay in touch. You may also want to use a family member or friend outside the flood zone as a central point of contact.

Safe Meeting Locations

During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, cell towers were down, and family members got separated, sometimes for weeks. That’s one of the reasons it’s so important to designate meetup spots. Choose at least two meeting points: one close to home and another farther away in case you have to leave your area entirely.

Step 3: Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit

An emergency kit is your go-to resource when a flood is on the horizon. It should include essential items such as:

Non-perishable food (three-day supply)
Bottled water (three-day supply)
Medications (seven-day supply)
Extra clothing
Flashlight in the event of power outages or rolling blackouts
Batteries
First-kid kit
Personal hygiene items
Multi-purpose tool
Important documents — e.g., birth certificates, homeowners insurance, etc.
Pet food and supplies

Keep this kit in a place that’s easy to grab, and make sure everyone in your household knows where it is.

Step 4: Protect Your Home From Flood Damage

Taking steps to protect your property can help minimize flood damage.

Interior and Exterior Preparation Steps

Reducing potential flood damage starts with proactive home improvements. Elevate appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, and electrical panels to prevent water exposure. Outdoors, consider using sandbags or barriers to redirect water away from your property.

Moving Valuables and Sealing Entry Points

Store important documents and valuables — including photos, jewelry, and electronics — in waterproof containers, or move them to higher levels of your home. Sealing foundation cracks and reinforcing doors and windows can also limit water intrusion.

Step 5: Stay Alert for Flash Flood Warnings

Monitoring weather conditions is critical during inclement weather, particularly in the event of flash flood warnings. Stay informed through the National Weather Service, local news, or mobile alerts that notify you of warnings in real time. Many areas also offer emergency alert systems that can send notifications directly to your phone, so sign up for these services to get immediate updates. Early awareness gives you time to activate your emergency flood plan or gather your emergency supplies.

Step 6: What to Do Right Before a Flood Hits

When a flood is looking likely, you may have just minutes or an hour to prepare:

Move valuables and essential items to higher ground, if you haven’t.
Charge phones and backup batteries.
Fill bathtubs and containers with clean water.
Secure outdoor furniture and loose objects.
Be ready to evacuate immediately.

Step 7: What to Do During a Flood

Once the flood reaches your home, safety is going to be your No. 1 priority. And floodwaters can carry debris, chemicals, snakes, and electrical hazards, making even a few inches of water dangerous.

Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters.
Follow evacuation orders.
Stay tuned to emergency alerts.
Keep your emergency kit nearby.

If you’re in a situation where you’re stuck in your home with rising water, head to the highest level of your home and call emergency services for help.

Step 8: What to Do After a Flood

Recovery begins only when it’s safe to return home.

Watch for hazards like downed power lines, contaminated water, and structural damage.
Avoid walking through standing water.
Wear protective gear such as gloves and boots during cleanup.
Dry out your home quickly to prevent mold growth.
Document all flood damage with photos and videos
File an insurance claim.

Floods can wreak havoc on your property, and clean-up can be a lot of work, but with the right preparation, you and your family can weather the storm.

While Mercury doesn’t offer flood insurance, we do provide homeowners insurance that helps protect your home and belongings from various risks, including fire, theft, wind damage, and liability claims. Our customizable policies ensure that you’re covered in the ways that matter most, giving you peace of mind no matter what life throws your way.

FAQs

How early should you start preparing for a flood?

You should begin preparing for a flood well before storm season or a heavy rainfall. Early planning allows time to secure insurance, assemble supplies, and finalize your emergency plan.

What items are most important to save before flooding occurs?

Prioritize important documents, medications, emergency supplies, and irreplaceable valuables like photos and hard drives. These items are essential for safety, recovery, and minimizing long-term flood damage.

Can flooding cause long-term damage to a home?

Yes, flooding can lead to structural issues, electrical damage, and mold growth if not addressed quickly. Even minor water exposure can result in costly repairs over time.

Mercury Team

The Mercury Marketing Team is made up of professionals in the fields of Content Creation, Public Relations, Social Media and Journalism. The team works together to deliver professionally written and researched content to provide information for consumers.