DISB encourages District residents to prepare for flooding by knowing your flood risk, protecting your home or business, and ensuring that you have sufficient insurance coverage.
Who Is At Higher Risk?
Flood and water damage can happen to any property, but you are at higher risk if you live in a flood plain. Find out if you live in a flood plain by visiting FEMA at msc.fema.gov/portal.
You May Need More Protection
Typically, a standard homeowner’s, renter’s or business owner’s insurance policy does not protect against most types of water damage. You can purchase policy endorsements that offer additional coverage for water damage such as: (1) sewer line backup coverage; (2) water backup and sump pump overflow; and (3) service line coverage. A utility line service contract may also provide for certain repairs when a property sustains water damage.
How To Get More Protection
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides flood insurance to property owners, renters and businesses. However, it is not intended to cover all losses or completely rebuild a property.
Private flood insurers may provide more substantial coverage. To purchase flood insurance, call your insurance company or home or auto insurance agent. All coverages or agreements should be purchased from a company authorized to conduct business in the District of Columbia.
There are steps you can take to help mitigate some of the damage caused by severe weather.
Develop a Natural Disaster Management Plan and sign up for alerts from AlertDC.
Create a Home Inventory
Now is the time to make a home inventory for insurance purposes if you haven't already. You can download the free NAIC myHOME Scr.APP.book app for iPhone® or Android smart phones to get you started. The app guides you through capturing images, descriptions, bar codes and serial numbers, and storing them electronically for safekeeping. The app even creates a back-up file for e-mail sharing. If you would rather do it by hand, you can download a home inventory spreadsheet here.
Once you have made your inventory, or taken photographs of your home, e-mail the information to family or friends living out of the hurricane threat or your insurance agent.
Collect Your Insurance Information
Store copies of your insurance policies with your home inventory. Make sure to have a copy of your policy declarations page listing all of your coverages, as well as your insurance cards. It is a good idea to store this information, and your home inventory, in a waterproof, fireproof box or safe. If you evacuate your home, don't forget to take this information with you.
Severe Weather Prep
There are steps you can take to help mitigate some of the damage caused by severe weather or storm. If your home is equipped with storm shutters, make sure you can quickly put them in place. Clear your yard of debris that could become projectiles in high winds and trim dead or overhanging branches from trees surrounding your home. It’s also a good time to make a quick review of your home to make sure the roof sheathing is properly secured, that end gables are securely fastened to the roof, and that doors and garage doors are latched properly.
For personal safety, identify the nearest storm shelter and have an evacuation plan for your family. Also, make sure you have hurricane survival supplies including bottled water, a first aid kit, flashlights, a battery-operated radio, at least three days of non-perishable food items, blankets, clothing, prescription drugs, eyeglasses, personal hygiene supplies and enough cash for at least three days.
If you are forced to evacuate your home, turn off all utilities and disconnect appliances to reduce the chance of additional damage and electrical shock when utilities are restored.
For more information about how to prepare your family and home for the threat of severe weather or storms, visit ready.dc.gov.
Winter Weather Prep
Here are few tips to safeguard against frozen pipes:
- Insulate your pipes and meters with foam sleeves, pipe tape, batt insulation or expanding foam.
- Fix all leaks. You may need to install new washers, change piping and/or use caulking.
- Store drinking water in case pipes freeze (1 gallon per person/per day for 3 days).
- In unheated and uninsulated areas, allow a faucet to drip during extreme cold weather.
- Keep room temperature around 69 degrees or no lower than 55 degrees in all areas of the property (use extreme caution when warming an area with space, kerosene or other types of heaters to avoid risk of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning).
- Remove garden hoses from outdoor water facets. Cover all exterior faucets.
- Inquire about insulation from your hardware store.
- If your home has a shut-off valve that allows you to cut off water to outside faucets, you may want to use it as an added precaution.
- If the pipes freeze, completely open the cold-water faucet closest to the freezing pipe. If you decide to thaw the pipe, use a hair dryer. NEVER use a blow torch or direct fire.
- If your vacant or unoccupied property has no heat, be sure to shut off the water supply and drain the system(s) and appliance(s) of water to avoid freezing pipes. If possible, have a neighbor check on the property.