Flooding is the  most common natural disaster in the United States, affecting every state.  Flooding can be caused by storms, dams or levees breaking, new development changing how water flows above and below ground, snow melt and much more.  There are more potential risks with the heavy snow pack Idaho has this year.

No home is completely safe from potential flooding.  Flood insurance can be the difference between recovering and being financially devastated.  Just one inch of water in a home can cost more than $25,000 in damage -- why risk it?  And, it typically takes 30 days from the day you purchase flood insurance for the policy to go into effect.

Flooding can be an emotionally and financially devastating event.  Without flood insurance, most residents have to pay out of pocket or take out loans to repair and replace damaged items.  With flood insurance, you're able to recover faster and more fully.

Flood insurance important facts to keep in mind:

FACT:  Homeowners and renters insurance does not typically cover flood damage.
FACT:  More than 20 percent of flood claims come from properties outside high-risk flood zones.
FACT:  Flood insurance can pay regardless of whether or not there is a Presidential Disaster Declaration.
FACT:  Disaster assistance comes in two forms:  A U.S. Small Business Administration loan, which must be paid back with interest, or a FEMA disaster grant, which is about $5,000 on average per household.  By comparison, the average flood insurance claim is nearly $30,000 and does not have to be repaid.

Visit http://www.floodsmart.gov for more information.

FEMA Summary of Coverage
FEMA Flood Insurance Fact Sheet