Ever since Sandy devastated so much of the Mid-Atlantic Region, many of our Buyer Clients have asked this question Is Lewes, Delaware in a flood zone? That is quickly followed by this question Can I get flood insurance and what will it cost?
Delaware was very lucky and damage from Sandy was minor compared to our neighbors to the north in New Jersey and New York. We all need to think about our risk and protect ourselves against potential natural disasters. I found the information below on the Town of Lewes, Delaware, web site. Its a good place to start.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), flooding in the United States causes more property damage than any other type of natural disaster. FEMA recommends, therefore, that EVERYONE HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE. WHY? There are several reasons: 90% of all natural disasters involve flooding and between 25% and 30% of flood insurance claims come from areas designated as low risk. Most homeowners insurance policies DO NOT cover losses resulting from flooding. Federal disaster assistance programs WILL NOT pay for flood damage UNLESS the President declares the affected area a Federal Disaster Area, and most floods are too small or local to qualify for Federal assistance. Some people have purchased flood insurance because the bank required it when they got a mortgage or home improvement loan. Usually these policies just cover the structure and not the contents. During the kind of flooding that typically occurs in Lewes, there is usually more damage to furniture and contents than there is to the structure. At last count, there were 758 flood insurance policies in Lewes. If you are covered, review your policy to be sure that you have contents coverage. If you do not have flood insurance, talk to your insurance agent. Even if prior flooding events did not affect your property or you have done some flood proofing, the next flood could be worse. Flood insurance covers all surface floods.
A "National Flood Insurance Program Brochure," prepared by the City's "Project Impact," is available at the counter at Lewes City Hall. The brochure provides the Top 10 Facts Every Consumer Needs to Know About the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)" as well as information about purchasing flood insurance, including a listing of participating insurance companies in Delaware.
TOP 10 FACTS EVERY HOMEOWNER NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT FLOOD INSURANCE
1. Everyone lives in a flood zone - You don't need to live near water to be flooded. Floods are caused by storms, melting snow, hurricanes, and water backup due to inadequate or overloaded drainage systems, dam or levee failure.