BY SARAH BRAGER & EMILY LINCKE
Zooming out
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Staying prepared
Woodell said Harris County is at the start of a long process to update the maps and, as a result, finalize insurance changes. In the meantime, she said residents should use the maps to make informed decisions about where their families live, work and play.
Kingwood insurance agent Jeanna Bumpass— whose own house flooded during Hurricane Harvey—said homeowners need to plan well in advance when obtaining flood coverage. “Once there is activity in the Gulf, you can’t get flood insurance,” Bumpass said. Claims paid by NFIP by county, past 10 years Dollar amount of claims paid by NFIP Number of NFIP claims paid
All Harris County residents are eligible to purchase flood insurance through the NFIP, according to the flood control district.
Tips to kick off your flood insurance research Visit www.floodsmart.gov and enter details about your property to get a quote. Compare potential changes to your flood zone by visiting www.maapnext.org and entering your address. Use the slide tool to view FEMA’s existing maps versus draft maps. Contact NFIP experts at floodsmart@fema.dhs.gov or call 800-427-4661. Reach out to an insurance agent to discuss possible coverage options for your property and personal belongings. Consider obtaining a home inspection and elevation certificate, which may decrease your quote.
Prepare your property for hurricane season
Research flood insurance policies. Add your agent to your phone contacts and email all important documents to your phone. Take pictures or videos of each room in your home to make a home inventory. Consider comprehensive auto coverage for your vehicle, which covers flood, hail, fire and wind damages. Toughen the exterior of your home with window shutters and a wind-resistant garage door. Prepare your yard by removing dead tree limbs and low-hanging branches.
Montgomery County
Liberty County
1,220 $83.1M
5,386 $471.4M
Harris County
61,563 $6.5B
Galveston County
8,564 $861.7M
Fort Bend County
3,848 $432.5M
Brazoria County
Sign up for flood alerts at www.harriscountyfws.org.
5,396 $449.7M
SOURCE: NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM/COMMUNITY IMPACT
NOTE: STANDARD NFIP POLICIES TAKE 30 DAYS TO TAKE EFFECT. SOURCE: NFIP, HCFCD, HAR/COMMUNITY IMPACT
SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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