California Flood Insurance
California Flood Insurance – Should you be considering it this year after 4 years of devastating drought?
FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Association, is actually urging consumers to do so.
Why you ask? Well, simple really: This year’s El Nino is predicted to be the worst on record for California, and with flood policies taking 30 days to go into affect, we have just enough time to get coverage before its too late.
Many of us remember the devastating affects of El Nino in the winter of 1997-1998. From December 26- January 3, over 20 inches of snow and rain forced hundreds to evacuation and the state to suffer almost $1.8 billion in damages.
The next February, we had almost 4 weeks of continuous storm activity that involved flooding, mudslides, and disruptions in agriculture. We broke record rainfall since 1867 by over 3 inches, totaling 21.74 inches and 35 counties that were declared a federal disaster area. 17 Californians died from the storms, and the state suffered another $550 million in damages.
Now, looking at our current conditions and how they compare to 1998, we are facing something that may be worse.
Sections of the Pacific Ocean in 1997-98 were up 8 degrees, but right now they are up a remarkable 10.8!
We have also had 4 years of drought, which means the soil is lacking moisture – making it similar to asphalt. Instead of rainfall soaking in the water, it will flow on top of it, like we saw in LA just a few days ago with the mudslides that stranded drivers on interstate 5.
Debris flow trapped LA drivers quickly and many were scrambling to stay safe on top of their cars. Freeways were closed for 24 hours after, and the storm continued to move across the US hitting Nevada, Arizona, and Utah.
This is a prime example of what could be to come. We in Northern California have a predicted month and a half to prepare for the predicted El Nino rains. This means checking your roof, your gutters, and your insurance policy. Your homeowner’s policy does NOT come with Flood Insurance!
FEMA deputy associate administrator Roy Wright said at a press conference on October 24th that with the torrential rains the West Coast will get with the Monster El Nino, “If there was ever a time to buy flood insurance, this is the time. You cannot get it at the last minute. There is a 30 day wait period for new flood insurance policies to go into effect.”
And we agree. It’s devastating for us to get calls from our community once a flood hits and have to tell them about the mandatory wait period. If there was ever just ONE year to purchase California Flood Insurance, this would be it. In 2014, the average flood insurance policy premium was $700 per year, and from 2010-2014 the average flood claim was $39,000.
Call us today and we can discuss what your flood risk is, what your options are, and answer any questions you may have. We at Uppal Insurance are ALWAYS here for you! 916-966-2143 .