MRPC News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2006
For more information contact:
Josh Hester or Lesley Bennish, (573) 265-2993
HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS CAN MINIMIZE FLOOD DAMAGE
PHELPS COUNTY – It is never too early to prepare for a disaster, and with the ever-changing weather in
Flooding claims are not covered by your homeowner’s policy. A flooplain insurance policy can be purchased from a local insurance agency. While there is a 30-day waiting period before the policy is activated, flood insurance pays all flood-related claims regardless of a federal disaster declaration.
“It is less expensive to protect your property and your home before it is damaged than to repair or replace it afterwards,” explained Connie Willman of Meramec Regional Planning Commission, the agency that serves as the floodplain administrator for
“We hope that increased awareness of possible flooding will encourage people to take measures to reduce residential and personal property damage,” Willman added.
With residents looking to complete summer home improvement projects, they should think about taking practical, inexpensive steps to mitigate damage to their homes in the event of a flood:
• Elevate or relocate water heaters, furnaces and major appliances. It is much easier to relocate these appliances to the first or second floor of a home. If they cannot be relocated, then you need to elevate the appliance to one foot above the base flood elevation (100 years) if known, or at least 12 inches above the high water mark from the last flood.
• Raise electrical panel boxes, circuit breakers, wall switches and any electric outlets to one foot above the base flood elevation.
• To prevent sewer backups, install a backflow valve either inside or outside the structure.
• Install floating floor drain plugs at the lowest point of the lowest finished floor to allow water drain. When the flood drainpipe backs up, the float rises and plugs the drain.
• Construct watertight interior and exterior masonry floodwalls. The floodwall can enclose utilities such as furnaces, water heaters, appliances and electrical systems in the basement of or lowest floor of a building. Outside, a similar masonry floodwall can be built around the perimeter of the basement opening. Properly constructed and anchored, these floodwalls can keep water out of the basement or away from utilities.
• Anchor heating fuel tanks to prevent them from floating, overturning or breaking loose in a flood. Metal structural supports and fasteners should be non-corrosive and wooden structural supports should be pressure treated.
• Take photographs or a video of your home and all contents and store the documentation in a safe place. This is helpful if you have to file an insurance claim or seek assistance following a community-wide disaster.
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