Going through a flood in your home is a horrible experience, and once you get everything cleaned up and squared away, you hope it never happens again. However, that’s not always the case. There is a chance that you and your home could end up going through another flood. It is important to understand exactly what happens if this is the case and what recourse you might have.
For those who have suffered from flood loss before, FEMA has developed a strategy that hopes to reduce, or even eliminate, damage to the property and the disruptions it can cause to a person’s life. Homes that are considered Severe Repetitive Loss properties are those that meet one of the following criteria since 1978. They need to have made four or more separate claim payments of $5,000 each, which includes the building and contents payments, or two or more separate claim payments that include just the building payments “where the total of the payments exceeds the current value of the property.”
These payments need to have been made within ten years of one another, and if there are multiple losses that occur at the same location within a period of 10 days, they are considered a single loss. The amounts of the payments are added together in those cases.
The FMA Program can provide federal grant funds that can pay for the “entire cost of the eligible mitigation activities.” Those properties may also be able to qualify for flood insurance rates that have been reduced.
FEMA, thanks to the FMA Program, can offer funds to local and state governments as a means to help reduce the risk of future flood losses. The funds can be used for three purposes. They can be used to help provide floodproofing on properties of a historic nature, they can help to elevate structures that are already build, or they may be used to relocate buildings or acquire the buildings and then turn the property into open space.
If your home in Houston is damaged, it is important to understand the requirements and potential permits that are needed when it comes to flood damage repair. If you are going to be removing carpet, drywall, and other materials that have been damaged from the flood out of your home, you do not need to have a permit. If your home is not in the floodplain, you do not need to obtain a floodplain development permit. However, it is possible that you will need a building permit, or that your contractors will need a trade permit.
If the house is in the floodplain, it will depend upon the type and extent of the damage to determine whether you need to have a permit to start repairs or not. Again, you might need to have a building permit and your contractors may need to have a trade permit. If the cost of repair is more than $10,000, you will always need to have a floodplain development permit. The above link can help you to learn more about your specific situation.
If you have had a previous flood in your home, and you had flood insurance to help, there is a risk that the insurance cost will have gone up in price. When you have a second flood in your home, the insurance companies are likely to rise the rates even further. They see your home as a risk, and they are working to protect themselves just as much – or more – than they are protecting you.
Still, having quality flood insurance tends to be a good idea, especially for those who live in areas that are prone to flooding. Those who have been through a flooding experience before can attest to the benefits of having quality insurance.
The Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014, putting limits onto certain types of rate increases, to help ensure that flood coverage remained affordable for those who needed it. However, if you believe that the rates are simply too high, and the insurance company will not budge and lower them, you have the options of checking out what other companies are offering in terms of coverage.
Since you have been through a second flood now, you might be wondering whether it is worth your time and the cost to rebuild your home, or if you would rather move. If you are going to rebuild, you might want to reconsider the way the house is designed. If you are in an area that floods, it might be in your best interest to get in touch with a contractor to see if there are ways to help reduce the risk of flooding.
If you do decide that you would like to rebuild, make sure you check to see what permits are needed, and that you have all of the evidence needed for your insurance company before you start to do any repairs or rebuilding.
Others might decide that they no longer want to have a house in the area, whether it is in the floodplain or not. If that’s the case, make sure you research the location of the new property so you can be sure it is in less danger of flooding. You do not want to have to go through this situation again if you can help it.
Whether you decide to stay in an area that might flood or you have a new home, it is generally a good idea to be prepared for anything that might come your way. Having some preparations ready, just in case there is a terrible storm headed your way, such as prefilled sandbags and other flood prevention items, might be a good idea. Do what you can to keep your home safe, but if the authorities tell you it is time to leave, follow their instructions. As much as you love your home, it is only a piece of property, not your life.
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