03.28.11

Durbin Urges Residents to Prepare for Flooding

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today urged Illinois residents in flood prone areas to take steps to protect their homes and businesses in advance of any flooding this year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Army Corps of Engineers are warning of possible heavy flooding this spring around the country and in parts of Illinois.

 

“Minor flooding began last week along the Upper Mississippi River,” said Durbin. “I have been in contact with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and they have assured me that all necessary precautions are being taken. In the meantime, it is important that all property owners fully understand their flood risk to decide whether the National Flood Insurance Program – which covers up to $350,000 in damages for homeowners and up to $1 million for business owners – is right for them.”

 

Through the National Flood Insurance Program insured homeowners can claim up to $250,000 for their home and up to $100,000 to recover its contents. Insured business owners can claim up to $500,000 for their buildings and up to $500,000 for the contents. For properties located in moderate-to-low risk flood zones and properties in areas for which the flood map is not yet final, a low-cost Preferred Risk Policy can be purchased for as low as $129 a year. In flood zones, coverage can be purchased for an average of $1049 (building only) or $1500 (building and contents) a year.

 

Durbin noted that the sooner a property owner chooses to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, the better their chances are of being protected this spring: “Residents and business owners who do not have flood insurance 30 days prior to the day flood damage occurs are not eligible to claim assistance through the National Flood Insurance Program. If the president declares a disaster after a flood event, the uninsured can only apply for a maximum of $29,800 – much less than what is available through the Program.”

 

Residents and business owners can learn more about protecting their property through the following links: