SPECIAL REPORT: Tips on minimizing flood damage

With Northern California rivers and reservoirs at their highest levels in seven years, residents can make pre-flood preparations to lessen the damage to their families, homes and belongings. Following are tips Allstate recommends, that independent insurance agents might want to share with their customers as well.

Be prepared

• Learn how your community notifies residents of impending floods and listen for alerts and warnings.

• Keep a well-stocked emergency supply kit, including flashlights, a portable radio, batteries, food, first aid supplies and plenty of clean drinking water.

• Formulate an emergency communication plan. Select a safe meeting location away from the home in case family members are separated. Designate an out-of-town relative or friend as an emergency contact. Make sure everyone has the phone number.

• Learn how to shut off gas, electricity and water to the home in case you are instructed to do so by authorities.

• Review insurance coverage.

National flood insurance

“Most homeowners policies do not cover flood damage, but reasonably priced protection may be available through the National Flood Insurance Program,” said Rich Halberg, spokesman for Allstate Insurance Company in California. “Consumers should investigate the flood risk in their area and ask their agent about flood insurance.”

National Flood Insurance Program policies do not take effect until 30 days after the purchase date, Halberg cautioned. “Buying a flood insurance policy today does not mean you’ll be covered for the storms expected this week,” he said. “But keep in mind that the rainy season runs through March, and sometimes later into the spring.”

Be safe

When a flood becomes imminent flood, Allstate then recommends:

• Listen closely to announcements from emergency management officials and obey all evacuation orders.

• Prepare to evacuate by assembling the emergency kit, remembering to include essential medications, cash, credit cards, and critical financial documents, reviewing the family evacuation and communications plan, and ensuring your vehicle’s gas tank is full.

• If instructed to do so by authorities, shut off gas, water and/or electricity to your home.

• If time allows, move outdoor possessions like bicycles and patio furniture indoors and elevate valuable furnishings and possessions to upper floors or higher ground.

• If advised to evacuate, do so immediately following the instructions given by authorities.

• Do not attempt to drive through flooded roads. More people drown in their cars than anywhere else during floods.

• Do not walk through floodwater. In many cases, people underestimate the power of even a small amount of moving water. Be especially careful with children.

If policyholders are seeking more information about getting prepared for disasters, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and California First Lady Maria Shriver have produced the brochure, “10 Ways You Can Be Disaster Prepared.”