[OPLINLIST] From FEMA Ohio Flood fact Sheet -- Only One Month Until the Start of Hurricane Season: Prepare Now for the Risk of Flooding

Mon Apr 23 12:51:26 EDT 2007

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From: Info at FEMAFloodSmart.com [mailto:Info at FEMAFloodSmart.com] 
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 11:03 AM
Subject: Only One Month Until the Start of Hurricane Season: Prepare Now for
the Risk of Flooding

Good Morning:

We are only one month away from the start of the 2007 Hurricane Season. This
year, experts predict a 75 percent chance of a major hurricane hitting the
United States, with as many as 17 named storms anticipated for the season.
Flooding will be a real threat in the coming months - FEMA's National Flood
Insurance Program encourages all residents to prepare their homes and
businesses now for the risks of flood damage.

Flood insurance is a critical part of preparing for hurricane season.
Without it, Americans are putting their home and property at financial risk.
Just two inches of floodwater can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage
to a home or business.Typically homeowners insurance doesn't cover flood
damage. If you aren't flood insured, repair costs will likely come from your
own pocket, your savings, your future.

It's important to remind Ohio residents, they may be at risk for flooding,
and should consider their flood insurance protection options. Over the past
five hurricane seasons (2002-2006), insured flood losses in Ohio totaled
more than $58.5 million. Of 4.4 million households in the state (2000 U.S.
Census), there are less than 39,700 flood insurance policies in force (as of
March 2007). 

It's not too late to ensure your home's financial security with a flood
insurance policy. The time to purchase a flood insurance policy is now;
there is typically a 30-day waiting period before a policy takes effect.

Below you will find FEMA's full press release, including additional
preparation tips and information about flood insurance protection. We've
also attached an Ohio flood fact sheet, with state-specific statistics and
flood risk data and a Hurricane Season 2007 Tip Sheet for ideas on how to
prepare. If you have questions or need assistance with topical interviews
please call FEMA Public Affairs at 202-646-4600.  FloodSmart.gov also
provides useful tools and resources to learn about the risks of flooding and
the benefits of flood insurance.

Thank you-

FEMA FloodSmart Campaign

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Press Release                                        Embargo: May 1, 2007

No: 07-37

Contact: FEMA Newsdesk 202-646-4600

ONE-MONTH COUNTDOWN TO THE 2007 HURRICANE SEASON BEGINS TODAY; FEMA URGES
CONSUMERS TO PROTECT THEIR PROPERTY WITH FLOOD INSURANCE

Washington, D.C., - Today marks the official countdown to the 2007 hurricane
season (starting June 1) and FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
reminds consumers there is typically a 30-day waiting period before a new
flood insurance policy takes effect. With experts predicting another
above-average hurricane season just around the corner, now is the time for
people to protect their home and property against the number one natural
hazard in America - floods.

Standard homeowners insurance does not typically cover flood damage. Flood
insurance backed by FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program provides
homeowners, business owners and renters with the best protection available
against flooding. Currently, more than 5.4 million people have flood
insurance coverage for losses they would otherwise have to pay for
themselves. 

"Total claims paid during the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons totaled nearly
$18 billion - approximately $3 billion more than the NFIP has paid out since
the program began in 1978. Yet many properties located in high-risk flood
areas remain uninsured or underinsured against floods. We urge all Americans
to learn their flood risk and take steps to protect themselves," said David
Maurstad, Director of Mitigation and Federal Insurance Administrator for
FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program.

The risk of hurricanes reaches beyond the Gulf Coast and Southeastern U.S.
Many scientists predict the Northeast is long overdue for a major hurricane
- and storm surge is a major risk factor for this region. Flood insurance
covers flooding from tidal and storm surge where other policies may not.

Although storm surge caused by hurricanes and tropical storms can wreak
havoc on coastal areas, some of the most damaging floods occur hundreds of
miles from the shoreline, days after the storm's initial landfall. As
hurricanes and tropical storms move inland, torrential rains and high winds
intensify the risks of flooding.

"In the summer of 2006, every region of the United States suffered a
federally declared flood-related disaster. In addition to tropical systems,
severe storms, heavy rains and snow melt caused millions of dollars in flood
damage from California to Maryland. Even a few inches of water can cost
thousands in repairs," said Maurstad. 

One of the most significant and costly floods in 2006 occurred from severe
storms and rainfall across much of the Northeast, resulting in more than
$213 million in flood-insured losses.

Flood insurance is affordable and available through about 90 insurance
companies in more than 20,200 participating communities nationwide. National
Flood Insurance is available to renters, business owners, and homeowners.
The average flood insurance policy premium is around $500 a year. And in
low- to moderate-risk areas, homeowners can protect their properties with
lower-cost Preferred Risk Policies (PRPs) that start at just $112 a year.
Individuals can learn more about their flood risk by visiting FloodSmart.gov
or calling 1-800-427-2419.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing,
mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic
disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

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