Disaster Preparation - Flood Insurance

Many people are unaware or apathetic to the risk of a flood in their area. Flood damaged homes and businesses can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars if proper protection is not taken. Most people living in highly risk areas for flooding will inevitably purchase flood insurance. But what kind?

It is often hard to know what kind of a policy you should invest in. Many home and business owners are unaware of what the typical cost for such coverage is and what the benefits of the coverage can be. To find the right insurance for you, it is important to understanding a little bit about what flood coverage is, what kinds of policies exist, and, most importantly, what coverage fits for your particular flood risk.

What is Flood Insurance?

There are three basic types of flood insurance:

Dwelling
"Dwelling" insurance usually covers residential buildings that contain no more than four families, residential condominium units, manufactured homes, and the storage contents of the insured building's tenants.

General Property
"General property" policies tend to cover larger residential buildings like those that house more than four family units as well as certain commercial buildings, such as churches, schools, and small businesses.

Preferred Risk
"Preferred risk" policies are generally offered at a lower cost to residential and commercial building owners with a low to moderate flood risk levels.

Why Get Flood Insurance?

Many people don't feel the need to protect themselves with flood insurance because of their location or the construction of their home. What these people don't understand is that even a few inches of standing or moving water can cost thousands of dollars in infrastructure and restoration work. Flood insurance not only helps cover the financial burden of flood damage but many providers can help you find other disaster relief services, such as document restoration specialists.

Questions For Your Agent

Like any major purchase, it is important to understand what you will get and what the complete costs are up front. Take the time to ask your agent questions so that it is clear how your coverage will work.

Here are questions you should make sure you know the answers to when discussing policies with your insurance provider:

o Do I live in a flood zone? If so, how will my location affect the cost and benefits of my policy?
o What will be covered by my new flood policy and what won't be covered?
o How much is the cost of the policy fee and premium, and are there hidden expenses or fees I need to know about?
o Do I need coverage for my building only, its contents only, or both?

Filing a Flood Damage Claim

Contact your insurance agent or company as soon as you realize that you have flood damage. Make sure you have the name of your insurance company and your policy number in an easily-accessible place. This will help speed up the filing process. You insurance provider will then schedule a visit with a claims adjuster and advise you on how they will proceed with your claim.

After you've contacted your agent you will need to make a list of all damaged or lost valuables. Separate your damaged goods from the undamaged ones and, with the help of your adjuster, start itemizing and calculating the value of the destroyed property.

Purchasing the right flood insurance doesn't need to be an overwhelming experience. With a little research and an honest agency you can find an affordable plan that will cover your valuables should the unthinkable occur.

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Big Medicine Caused 1938 Missouri Flood

Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas are experiencing a devastating flood, and I want everyone to know I had nothing to do with it. I gave up dabbling in the occult arts many years ago. After more than a half century of silence, I reckon it is safe to admit that I was partly responsible for the Great Arkansas-Missouri flood of l938.

Mostly, though, it was the fault of Chief Kow Tow and Cousin Charley. Chief Kow Tow claimed to be of noble Choctaw blood whose forefathers were forced to Oklahoma Territory reservations many moons ago. He evaded the white devils and stayed behind in southeast Missouri to "make big medicine" for ancestral spirits still haunting the shores of the St. Francis River.

The Chief's real name was unpronounceable. "Kow Tow" was as close as folks could get to the Indian sound. He said his name meant "Singing In The Clouds." Kow Tow insisted he was 100 years old. He boasted that as a young brave he had taken 99 scalps and been promised by his spirit guide, Red Hawk, a year of life for each trophy. Having surpassed his allotment of years, the Chief said he felt obliged to even accounts by taking one more white-devil scalp before he died.

Folks pooh-poohed Chief Kow Tow's threat as showmanship for his business of wooden spoons. Four notches on the handle and pokeberry stain on the bowl was guaranteed to ward off ptomaine poison. People laughed, but shelled out a dollar for a magic spoon --- just in case.

* * *

Charley was not as colorful a character as Chief Kow Tow. Nevertheless, my older cousin had managed to become a legend in his own time. It was during a summer visit to his house that he introduced me to the town's principal celebrity.

The old Indian lived alone in a one-room tin-roofed cabin back in a canebrake. The mosquitoes were fierce but didn't seem to bother him. Kow Tow tolerated visitors if they brought along a little sugar, coffee, tobacco, or whiskey --- the only necessities he didn't grow in his garden or find in the wild. Those people who failed to bring a gift were reminded by the chief of his outstanding debt to Red Hawk.

Missouri and Arkansas were suffering from a drought. Cotton was drying in the bolls. It was Cousin Charley's inspiration that we ask Chief Kow Tow to perform a rain dance. For inducement we invested (my money) in a bag of Bull Durham and a peppermint stick, the old fellow's special treat.

The chief received us cordially enough and heard our request. He sucked thoughtfully on the peppermint before replying. "That powerful medicine. Worth more. What else you got?" After further negotiation we threw in a jack knife, a red bandanna and a Sunday school badge given me for 13 weeks perfect attendance --- my all-time record.

Gathering up his booty, Kow Tow retired to his cabin. Bye and bye he reappeared dressed in a silk top hat ringed with feathers, a frock coat and a red cravat over his usual attire of flannel shirt and faded Levis. Over his shoulder he carried a fringed, buckskin bag decorated with paintings of birds and mysterious symbols. From it Kow Tow took four arrows tipped with beautiful pink and white stone which I now know came from Flint Ridge, Ohio, and was widely traded among Indians for ceremonial purposes.

* * *

The Chief drew a square on the ground and stuck his arrows, point up, at the corners. In the center he set a decorated pottery bowl. Into the bowl he crumbled sumac leaves, willow bark and a few pinches of tobacco from his newly acquired pouch of Bull Durham. "Kinnikinnick," he explained. "Make sacred smoke." Kow Tow began striking sparks from two stones onto the kinnikinnick. Presently a think smoke curled upwards, and he fanned it with a hawk wing. He bent over the smoldering mixture and breathed in the fumes.

"You, too," he commanded. Charley and I sniffed the acrid smoke. It made our eyes burn and our heads swim a bit. Then the old chief took two, gourd rattles from his medicine bag and began to dance around the arrows. "Huh yuh, huh yuh," he chanted as he shook the rattles vigorously. I felt goose bumps rising on my arms. "Geez," whispered Cousin Charley. "Ain't this sumthin?"

After about ten minutes of stomping and chanting, Chief Kow Tow stopped suddenly. "That's plenty," he said emphatically as he gathered up his paraphernalia. We thanked him and left, confident that the long dry spell would soon be over.

* * *

By golly, the next day it started to rain --- hard! It rained steadily for two days and two nights. Off in the distance we could hear a faint, continuous rumbling. "Water's rising," grownups with worried frowns told each other. Cousin Charley and I were scared. It was more than we had bargained for. In the early dark of the third morning of rain there was a pounding on the front door. Obviously bad news.

Uncle Ruppert hurried out of bed, already sensing the trouble. "The New Madrid levee broke!" shouted the messenger. "They need all the help they can get!" Aunt Thelma fixed two sandwiches for Uncle Ruppert and kissed him as he left to join a straggling line of other men trudging along the railroad, the highest ground. "Be careful Rup!"

Cousin Charley and I shivered. That afternoon we swore a mighty oath --- sealed with blood pricked from our thumbs --- never to tell about our visit to Chief Kow Tow. Uncle Ruppert came home two days later --- dog-tired and haggard. He hadn't slept for 36 hours. He had tragic news.

The main levee of the Mississippi had broken but a secondary levee held. Men were ferried by barge across the flood to heave sand bags into the breach. On one of the trips, the barge overturned. Twenty men drowned! There was a score of sad funerals that week in southeast Missouri, one in our town. My guilt was overwhelming.

* * *

Cousin Charley came to visit me a year later and told me that he had gotten into an argument with Chief Kow Tow over ownership of a dog. "That hound took up with me, but old Kow Tow said it belonged to him. I started to dispute him, but he declared, "Don't rile me or I'll make it rain!" "I saw his point right off," said Charley. "That mangy dog wasn't much of a hunter anyhow."

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Natural Disaster Advice - Dealing With A Flood

If you are at home when the floodwaters arrive, don't panic; here are specific guidelines to help you deal with the watery deluge:

1. If the power hasn't been knocked out, turn the TV on and monitor the situation through your local news channel. Your radio is also your best friend when it comes to receiving updates from a local flood watch.

2. Has there been an announcement of a possible flash flood? If the answer is yes, seek higher ground immediately. If you have a second floor or third flood, just go upstairs after securing the first floor. Do not stay in the first floor if a flash flood is imminent!

3. In the event that flooding is imminent and you still have time, move all your patio furniture inside the house. If your house has a second or third floor, move electronic gadgets, large appliances, and other essentials upstairs.

Do this only if you have sufficient time; if not, simply elevate these items on tables, chairs, and even your kitchen counters. You can always fix your first floor after the flood. The important thing here is you will be keeping most of your expensive personal possessions safe during the flood, while you seek higher ground for yourself.

4. Water and electricity should be turned off in the event of a flood. Unplug all of your electrical appliances, including small items such as radios and fans. In the event that some of your appliances have become submerged in floodwater, and you were unable to unplug them, don't touch them while they are still submerged in water.

5. It is actually dangerous to walk through moving floodwaters, so if you have to do it, make sure that the water is no more than five inches deep. Six inches of moving floodwater (with mud and debris) is enough to topple even fit people.

If the water is deep and you have to cross to be able to evacuate or get to your car, find a path across the floodwater that has less intense movement to ensure your safety.

6. If there are emergency services in your area, you can help the emergency personnel by keeping your family safe, and by keeping the area clear, so they can move around your neighborhood more easily.

7. After evacuating, you should only return to your home once it has been announced that the water has dissipated, and it is safe to return to your neighborhood. If no such announcements have been made, stay in the designated safe zone/ evacuation zone until the authorities give you and everyone else an all-clear signal.

8. In the event that your car or SUV suddenly stalls as you are driving away from your flooded house, leave your car and seek higher ground on foot you will have a better chance of getting help if you walk instead of trying to restart a wet and stalled vehicle. Remember: six to twelve inches of floodwater is enough to stall and float most vehicles. So, it doesn't matter if you have a big SUV - water can still stall it.

9. During a flood, you will often find random spots where water has already receded. These spots are not necessarily safe to drive on or walk on because receded water often signals soft and weakened soil. Driving through such areas may be dangerous.

10. Beware of electrically charged floodwater. Electrical wires run underground and some wires may cause floodwater to become electrically charged.

11. Minimize or avoid submerging any part of your body in floodwater. Floodwater contains not only soil particles (i.e. mud) but also chemicals (such as gasoline) and in some instances, sewage. Sewage contamination is common - you do not want to experience wading through sewage-tinged floodwater, trust me.

12. If your septic tank or plumbing system have been damaged by flooding, have these serviced soon after the flood.

13. Turn on the power only once you have deemed the house dry enough. If you turn on the power immediately after the flood, someone might get accidentally electrocuted.

In times of emergency and natural disaster, being prepared and having a plan will minimize the effect on you and your family. A simple Backpack with Emergency supplies is a great place to start.

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Stay Safe From The Number One Natural Disaster With Flood Protection

It's no lie that floods are scary forces of nature. Floods are the most common of all natural disasters. This means that their terrifying force of destruction can happen more than once. A quarter of all flood-related insurance claims come from moderate to low risk areas. Flood insurance is indeed a good way to protect your family, but many people simply cannot afford it. You have another option. Don't let nature destroy everything you have. Flood protection can keep you out of the storm, ensuring your family and property stays free of damage.

Set up flood protection barriers as a way to protect yourself from the power of a flood. This sort of protection was crafted in order to guarantee that your family and home stay dry if you are confronted with a flood. Generally, you are able to choose from permanent or removable barriers, each with its benefits. The permanent option is made to the exact specifications called forth for your building. They match the architecture and design, effectively blending in, and it isn't necessary to take them off, store them someplace, and put them back on again. The removable flood barrier option features barriers made out of lightweight but very sturdy materials, which can be applied and reapplied anytime.

If you and your family are confronted by the possibility of flooding, remember these few tips. The first is to establish a safe place where you and your family can reach higher ground. Also set a meeting point in case any one gets separated. Stock up on flashlights, extra batteries, a battery-operated radio, and canned food in case your electricity goes out. Also be sure to have a good supply of medication, water, and a first aid kit. If you have furniture outside, ensure that is tied down or bring it inside. Also don't forget to unplug any electrical outlets.

Floods are serious. Flash floods and regular floods can happen in any state, and they have. Flash floods are especially frightening. They bring ten to twenty foot walls of roaring water, and it is a force of pure destruction. Unfortunately, just one inch of water is able to cause serious damage to your home and property.

There are many things that can cause floods. The most recognizable reason is the occurrence of heavy rains over the course of a long period of time. With the added amount of water, canals and rivers can go over their banks. Hurricanes and tropical storms are yet another cause, as well as snow melt. Already saturated ground is not able to absorb any more water, and when even more water comes around, it creates floods.

A flood protection barrier can help you feel secure if a flood happens to roll around. If you are caught in a flood, always stay up to date by listening or watching your local news. Staying on top of the disaster gives you the upper hand in fighting through it.

Don't get caught off guard. Look into your flood disaster protection options, and see what's right for you. Flood protection barriers could end up saving you and your family, not to mention your home, if a flood happens to occur.

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Fire Restoration and Flood Restoration Can Help Your Family Recover From Disaster

A fire, flood, or other water-related catastrophe can be devastating to your home or business, but it doesn't have to mean a total loss. As bad as things may look right now, there is help available! With specialized fire and flood restoration skills, your local cleaning service should be to help your family or company get through this difficult time with minimal losses and as little stress as possible. Fire and water damage restoration can help you get your life back!

Many local carpet cleaners, maid services, and other specialized cleaning companies also offer disaster recover assistance. Designed to help your family and your structure recover after a disaster, they provide a wide range of services including fire restoration, flood restoration, and even sewage clean up. These dedicated professionals are committed to helping you overcome catastrophe with thorough restoration, compassionate service, and quality workmanship. No one ever wants to face the destruction of a fire or flood, but a least you don't have to face it alone. Call your fire water restoration experts today for help with minimizing losses, correcting damage, and getting your life back on track ASAP.

If you find yourself facing the destruction of a disaster, call for restoration services right away. Immediate action is the best way to ensure they'll be able to effectively dry out, stabilize, and clean your fire and water damaged belongings. By getting your home dried quickly, you also reduce the potential for mold growth.

It may seem a little counterintuitive, but fire and water damage restorations are actually quite similar. In fact, the first step in any fire restoration is actually water removal. The water used to extinguish fires can also damage your furniture, documents, and belongings, so everything needs to be thoroughly dried. Using a high-volume extraction or a pump-out process, the restoration professionals will remove standing water and then finish the drying process with a system of dehumidfiers and drying equipment. Fire and flood restoration services can also include: 

• Air purification with HEPA filters
• Structural drying
• Upholstery cleaning
• Textile laundering (sanitization)
• Disinfecting
• Deodorizing

Fire damage restoration will also include a cleaning process designed to remove evidence of the fire itself. The results are truly amazing: smoke stains are removed, and burn marks are cleaned off. With their specialized fire restoration techniques, they can clean furniture, launder textiles, and effectively remove traces of fire from just about any surface.

By hiring a professional cleaning service to provide fire and flood restoration, you'll be able to return your home or office to its original, pre-disaster condition. These experts are here for you to provide compassionate, quality restoration and help reduce your stress during this difficult time. However, to ensure you get the best fire water restoration available, we do recommend using only professionals certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration (IICRC), an industry association that provides education and training for restoration companies.

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Disaster Recovery - The Days After Flooding

The days immediately following a flood are the most crucial to the potential for recovering any personal property that may be damaged by the floodwaters. Hurried recovery tactics, however, can lead to further damage of your property and potential harm to yourself and your loved ones. To recover from a flood safely and affectively:

1. Determine the type of flood experienced

2. Assess the damage that has occurred

3. Determine the safest way to salvage belongings

Determine The Type of Flood Experienced

Floods vary by origin and damage. Floods can develop slowly and take days to reach their final peak. Flash floods, on the other hand, come about within a matter of minutes from seemingly nowhere, typically caused by a surge in rainfall in dry areas. Floods that occur near a defined lake or river are called overland floods and are often weather related. Levee and dam breaks can also create flooded areas.

Stagnant floodwaters can be contaminated by oils, fuels or sewage. If the flood is accompanied by a hurricane, earthquake or severe storm, downed power lines can also electrically charge the water making it entirely unsafe. Also, be wary of any wild animals in post-flood areas. Experts recommend residents avoid all areas with remaining floodwater until it recedes and never enter moving floodwater as it can very easily cause a loss of footing.

Dry areas may also be potentially dangerous after a flood, depending on the severity. Floodwaters can erode roads and walkways, making them dangerous to traverse. Buildings can also be damaged.

Assess the Damage That Has Occurred

Never immediately enter your home or office after a flood - the floors and stairs may have sustained damage and may no longer be safe. Instead, walk a safe distance around your home's foundation and check for loose or downed power lines, gas leaks, structural damage, and any other potentially dangers. Call a qualified building inspector or structural engineer if you suspect your building has sustained any dangerous flood damage.

Once it has been determined that entering your home or office building is safe, the next step is to assess the damage sustained to your valuables and personal belongings. Not all damage means utter ruin. Water damaged photos, books or documents may not necessarily need to be thrown out. Proper document recovery techniques and document restoration companies can help you stem the loss of your most beloved belongings. Seek out a professional to help you determine if any of your essential materials can be saved, even if you believe them to be beyond repair. Quick response and attention to important pieces may make the difference in its potential for restoration.

Determine The Safest Way To Salvage Belongings

A dedicated document restoration service will be able to help you determine the best system for saving your belongings. Many believe that the best technique for recovering your water-damaged personal effects is the desiccant air dry distribution system. Not all companies offer this recovery service. The desiccant air dry technique is an energy-efficient and safe way of removing moisture from the air surrounding your belongings, allowing the water that is trapped inside them to evaporate quickly and harmlessly.

When looking for a restoration specialists make sure the system they use completely dries the materials. Mold damage can occur long after a flood if valuables are not completely dry before they are returned.

Simple steps taken in the first few days after a flood can make a big difference in the long-term detriment the waters cause a family, home or office.

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Disaster Floods, Mold and Animals

Tropical Storm Fay is a good example of a disaster. She stayed in certain areas and dumped more than 20 inches of rain. This level of rainwater is impossible to contain with a regular drainage system, the ground tends to become saturated and drainage will take over. In reality, there is just too much water. The local drainage was not designed to handle this much rain water. Result, massive backup of the runoff water which leads to flooding. This type of flooding is not preventable due to the structure of the drainage systems that were designed for normal conditions.

Next question is; What do we do next if your home has become flooded. First, try to stop the water source if possible. If you can't evacuate to higher ground. For information on flooding go to FEMA's Website on floods, they have excellent information and a tool to give you an estimate about the approximate cost of the damage from the flood to your home, try it. Example: 6 inches of water is $11,480.00. Cool Tool! Try it, you'll like it. The important thing to remember, carry Flood Insurance, I do and I live in Florida. Most people do not realize that their Homeowners' Policy excludes floods from exterior rising water.

If you are experiencing a flood, common sense tells you to move all items to higher elevation if you can. I have dealt with many floods in homes from plumbing breaks, guess what, most people just look at it and do nothing except call someone to clean it up. Remember, your insurance policy states that you must try to protect your possessions from further damage or they will deny that portion of the claim. I have seen this happen. Check with your Homeowners Insurance Company for clarification on their policy of dealing with floods or plumbing leaks. Always have your Insurance coverage analyzed by your agent to keep it current with rising inflation.

Mold is the result from a flood if it is not dried up within 72 hours. In the case of flooding by Tropical Storm Fay, it is impossible to do this because the damage was on a massive scale. There just isn't enough manpower and equipment to solve this problem quickly. Just try to protect your irreplaceable items. Remember, use common sense.

Animals such as snakes and rats will run from a flood. In Florida, we have also have to worry about alligators. If you are walking in a flooded area, be aware of your surroundings for these creatures. Don't be surprised if you find rats in your home, they will find any small hole into your home to stay dry. The problem with that is, snakes follow the rats for a food source. Be careful, I was in a flooded area last week and saw a rattlesnake in the backyard, he was sunning himself in a dry area of the yard. I remember once walking up on a Lynx, not a good experience. He was trying to stay dry on a back porch, all I did was stop and then walk backwards slowing. He took off and was history. Like I say, be aware of your surroundings. Forget your IPOD, you must be in tune with your surroundings and listen or you will get hurt. If you are listening to music, you will never hear that distinctive rattle sound of a rattlesnake before he bites you.

Remediation is impossible till the water recedes. If you must enter these environments, wear a HEPA rated respirator. I do not use or recommend the N95 masks that some people recommend; they never fit tightly against your face for good protection. Better to be safe than sorry in the long run. Safety goggles will help prevent exposure to your eyes from mold spores. After Hurricane Wilma, I investigated many homes that flooded from roof leaks or the roofs blew off. Mold was everywhere, total loss in most cases.I have lots of pictures if anyone is interested. Will post them to the website under Hurricane Wilma. Imagine your home with black mold growing from floor to ceiling, get the picture. It is not a pretty picture to see peoples' entire lives destroyed.

In conclusion, floods can be a dangerous place in a rural area. You will have to deal with more than mold and water, such as rats, snakes and alligators. When the waters recede, be very careful going through your personal possessions. You might find an uninvited guest in your home.Be sure to hire a licensed, certified Remediator to handle the job. They should have credentials such as the Indoor Air Quality Association. No credentials, don't hire them. Make them show you their credentials. If they earned them, they will show you. I personally have them with me at all times. Too many people were burned by the last couple of hurricanes here by phony remediators.

I hope this information will make you more aware of what you pick up and where you walk. Stay out of palmettos and tall brushes. If you have any questions, call me at (954) 531-6476.

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Flood Disasters and Your Business - What Are You Going to Do If?

Floods can be devastating as we have seen in the last few years on the news. We watched the Tsunami in Indonesia and the intensive 2005 Atlantic Tropical Hurricane Season with such infamous named storms as Katrina, Rita and Wilma. We saw other problems this most recent year when the Mississippi River over ran its banks and took out entire towns. Then in 2008 we watched Hurricane Gustav flood the Texas Gulf Coast, wiping out entire neighborhoods and what it left it flooded out.

Floods Happen, and this brings us to a very important consideration for your business. What are you going to do if your business gets flooded out? With floods generally water lines are polluted and unusable. Often, the power is out too. Worse, if your business is flooded, you will have files gone and perhaps computers ruined, but if you have a plan in advance you might be able to avoid a catastrophic disruption in your business endeavors. How so you ask?

Well, if you have computers at another location and you have backed up your data or have a portable removable hard-drive, you can simply take a few laptops to another location and operate from there. You'll need to be ready in advance; you'll need information on how to forward your company telephones and a place to have high-speed internet access. When disaster strikes it often hits entire regions so your "safe place" ought to be quite a distance away.

Next, you need to get with your vendors too, see if they have an extra-office or two to let you borrow, you'll be surprised how easily they can accommodate you and how willing they will be. Your business can survive a catastrophic flooding event. No, it will not be a walk in the park, but you will not lose everything simply due to your failure to plan ahead, think on this.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1519685

Disaster Recovery - How to Recover From Water and Flood Damage

Let's face it. Accidents happen, grease fires are never planned and who ever sets a goal to have fire damage? Did you wake up this morning and put out an invitation for a hail storm to beat triumphantly against your roof? But it could happen. Oh and God forbid another unexpected flood should arise and damage your property. After you come back to reality from this shocking experience you want your condition restored right? Of course you do and you want it restored now!

There are professional disaster recovery specialists that are certified and licensed to restore your home and your families peace of mind. Are you aware that some homes in your area have been determined to have severe water damage and many of your neighbors are getting repairs AT NO COST? Most homeowners wait until they see visual signs of water damage or roofing damage before any action is taken. That could be too late and too costly. Prevention is the key to saving money now and avoiding future damage. In the case of water damage or flooding though, here are some things that you could do:

In Case of Flood or Water Damage

• Remain Calm! Do not panic!
• Shut off the electricity in every room by using the circuit breaker box
• If it is safe to do so, then stop the water from spreading.
• Stay clear of rooms that may have sagging ceilings from retaining water.
• Do not call your insurance company first. Many water damaged situations can be resolved easily without filing an insurance claim.
• Call a professional water restoration company.
• While you are waiting for your disaster recovery specialist...

- Remove valuable and dry items to a safe place. - Sponge out as much water as possible. - Wipe off wet surfaces. - Place Styrofoam, wood blocks or even aluminum foil between your furniture's legs and the wet carpet. - Secure a safe dry place to stay if you must leave the premises. - Take as many pictures as possible; between 20 - 30 is good.

Your Disaster Recovery Specialist

Your restoration company will speak with you about the amount of damage you've had, while preventing any further disaster to your structure or belongings. Before you file an insurance claim it is important to talk it over with your restoration company, they will let you know if it is the best solution.

The Sky Group of Atlanta Building Contractors are Demolition and Disaster Recovery Specialists want to help you get your peace of mind back. The damage may have been brutal and you might not know where to turn. You just want your life back. I recommend The Sky Group of Atlanta, they can serve you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3257325

Disaster Insurance

Disaster Insurance.

You could be faced with financially ruins if you needed but didn't have disaster insurance.

Having Disaster Insurance Coverage to soften the effects of a loss is not only a smart decision but is also a requirement by lending institutions like Banks and Credit Union. Insurance providers form the backbone of modern civilization. You wouldn't be able to get a mortgage to buy a house or a car or in some cases a business loan without insurance.

Homeowner Insurance:

Your homeowners Insurance will cover a multitude of things that can happen to your home including fire, burglary etc. Both the structure and contents are covered. Since there are as many if not more losses for which you also will not have coverage it is important to take the time to read your policy and understand what is excluded.

Renters Insurance:

I am willing to bet you that if you ask the people you know who are renting if they have Renters Insurance, most of them will answer that they don't.

Renters insurance is probably the "best buy for the buck" as far as insurance is concerned. For an annual payment that's probably less than a weeks' salary most renters can buy renters Insurance and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that their furniture, clothes and other personal effects are covered.

Let me encourage you wholeheartedly to buy some renters insurance and if you are a homeowner renting out a part of your house you should encourage your tenant to buy renters insurance.

Find out from your attorney if you can insist on renters insurance as a condition of leasing or renting out your house or apartment. It's that important.

Flood Insurance for Homeowners:

Floods are caused from rising water and should not be confused with water damage caused by roof leaks or wind driven rain. Remember also that the President does not have to declare a disaster for you to claim payment from your flood policy.

Floods are not covered by your homeowners' policy and so if you want flood coverage you will have to purchase a flood insurance policy.

When you are shopping for a house it's a good idea to do some research on the area in which you plan to buy your house to see if it is in a flood zone.

Though you do not have to be in a flood zone to buy flood insurance, the cost will be much higher if you are in a floodplain otherwise called "Flood Hazard Area" (SFHA).

Your Insurance agent can check the flood map to see if your area is in a high risk, medium risk or low risk area.

The maximum amount of coverage that you can buy for your house of $250,000 and contents of $100,000. This will be different if it's a two family house. Will this be enough to rebuild your house if it got swept away in a flood? Take this in account as you shop for your dream home.

Flood Insurance for Renters:

Just as renters insurance will provide peace of mind for you and your family you should be aware that it does not cover floods and your landlords' flood policy will not cover your stuff either.

Take my advice and also purchase flood insurance, its inexpensive and will be one of your best buys. The maximum you will be able to purchase is $100,000 and will afford you peace of mind knowing that there will be financial help for you if you had a loss...

Hurricanes Disaster Insurance:

Most Insurance companies if not all will include a very large deductible into your homeowners' policy for hurricane damages. This is usually a percentage of the amount of your insurance coverage on your house and ranges from 3% to 7%.

Here is an example: Let's say your house is insured for $200,000. Your deductible is 5% ($10,000), Hurricane damages to your house is $50,000. You will only be paid $40,000.

Are you able to come up with a deductible of $10,000 to repair your house if it was damaged? What if the damages were less than your deductible? You would not be paid anything by your Insurance Company. Your disaster insurance emergency fund should be an amount at least equal to your deductible but certainly recommended to be more.

Earthquake Insurance:

Are you living in an area that's known to have earthquakes? If so then your disaster insurance plans should include Earthquake Insurance. Be aware that your Homeowners Policy will not cover you for an earthquake.

Many Insurance companies offer special "Earthquake Insurance" and though coverage is not mandatory unless required by your mortgage holder, the deductible can go as high as 15% and sometimes more. This is important to know when shopping for a house as you put your house maintenance budget together.

Tornado Insurance:

This is the most devastating of all natural disasters. Tornadoes can rip through a neighborhood like a shredder leaving nothing but unrecognizable rubble behind. Unfortunately there is no "Tornado Insurance" available. You will have to depend on your homeowners insurance to cover you.

I have spent some time on flood, hurricane and earthquake Insurance because they are the most common natural disasters. However this is by no means meant to ignore the other many natural disasters to which you might be exposed if you are living in such areas.

Speak to your Insurance company or agent about the extent to which you are covered and if there is a mandatory deductible that's being applied to a claim if there was damage to your house.

Having spent some time in as an insurance agent and also as a real estate agent I would caution my clients on the importance of adequate insurance. As a real estate agent I would remind them as much as I am reminding you that before you buy "Think about how easy or difficult it would be to sell your house if it's in an area known for a special kind of disaster."

Having the right equiptment at hand also will go a long way in your preparations

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Disaster, Hope, and Charity - The Santa Clara-Virgin River Flood

A thunderous crash could be heard in the distance as a home collapsed and crumbled into the rushing waters below. Several people were standing at the edge of a hilltop in Santa Clara, Utah, watching their valley being destroyed before their very eyes. The torrent had eaten away the dirt of the riverbank and the foundation of the house. With no support, the home fell into the rapidly flowing river and was swept away downstream.

The Santa Clara/Virgin River flood in St. George, Utah, in 2005 was a complete disaster. Standing on the hill and watching the destruction below was an emotional experience for everyone. The trees and shrubs that once lined the small five-foot-wide river were now gone, uprooted and swept away by the violent and turbulent flow of water. What took years for nature to create, nature was able to destroy within seconds. Who would ever have guessed that the creek would swell to such width, viciously cutting away at the landscape?

The once tranquil stream, which could easily be crossed on foot or in a car, was now as wide as the length of a football field, and it was taking everything within its path. The speed of the river had once been five cubic feet per second, and now it was more than 6,500 cubic feet per second. In three days time, it had dug into the earth's surface, carving away at the banks and creating ridges as high as thirty to forty feet. The torrent was digging at the earth at ten feet per hour like a plow and sweeping the red dirt and trees down the river into Arizona and Nevada. In fact, a man found his car thirty miles downstream from his home. It had crossed the border into Nevada.

Men worked feverishly to help the residents remove what they could from the homes that were threatened by the river, but there were those who escaped with only the clothes on their backs. About two hundred homes were damaged and twenty-five were completely destroyed. The experience of charity and compassion by the people was incredible. There was no prejudice of religion, race, culture, or status, just unconditional love and concern for everyone. Homes, clothes, and food were instantly found for the homeless.

Why was the flooding so bad that year? Six weeks of rain following a seven-year drought was the main reason. Built-up debris blocked the river channel and the only direction to go was outward, toward farmland and homes. Not only that, the heavy snow in the mountains seemed to be a blessing to this desert land, but the unusually warm January melted the snow too fast. With the constant rain during that month, the saturated ground couldn't hold any more. The estimated damage was nearly two hundred million dollars.

Lost homes can be replaced, but the sad thing about this flood was the loss of irreplaceable and precious treasures that had no value to anyone but the owner, such as photos and memories of the past. Do you believe in miracles? Stories of hope always touch people, including me.

An elderly widow grabbed what she could with the help of her neighbors but wasn't able to get everything. She lost her husband's and her own Book of Remembrance, which had pictures of their family, their ancestors, and their biographies. All those memories were swept away in the flood. The following day after her home was gone, a knock came at the door where she was staying. A man was standing before her with the book in his hand. He said that he found it washed up on a tree stump near his home. Needless to say, she wept for joy. But that's not all. The following day, her husband's book was found, also.

The kindness of others was overwhelming for this little valley. Fundraisers were put together and schools collected money for the homeless. To me, this was a story of hope and love, a story of charity. As I included all this information in my novel, Anasazi Intrigue, I relived this disaster once again. You see... I'm from Washington County, St. George, Utah. This was my valley. This was my home. These were my people!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3892234