Hurricanes and Flooding go hand in hand. Now is the time to prepare for hurricane season. Contact Seaman’s Insurance Group, St Augustine and the First Coast’s Premier Boutique Independent Insurance Agency, for all of your flood insurance needs.
Types of Flooding Associated with Hurricanes
There are two types of flooding that come along with Hurricanes and named Storms like Tropical Storms. Those two types of floods are Freshwater Flooding and Storm Surge Flooding. Most of us when we think about a hurricane only really worry about wind damage and if we are lucky enough to live close to the beach, the potential of ocean water and waves knocking on our door steps. Others may think about what happens when we finally leave the house after a storm and find debris and possibly some other standing on the road.
Freshwater flooding from hurricanes and tropical storms is caused by the amount of rain that accompanies such storms. We get so much rain from these storms that the ground becomes so saturated that the water has nowhere else to go but to sit on top of the ground and flow into our streets and even our homes. We could receive so much rain that lakes, rivers and streams will overflow from their banks also causing nearby homes and streets to become flooded. This can happen so quickly that roads become impassable. Merely a foot of water can cause most cars to be washed off the road. Only six inches of fast moving water can sweep a person off their feet. Since most flood related deaths occur at night and involve a vehicle, you should never attempt to drive through a flooded road. Your best option is to turn around and find another route.
The other type of flooding is Storm Surge Flooding. This type of flooding is responsible for most of the deaths that are associated with hurricanes and tropical storms. A storm surge happens when ocean water is pushed toward the shore by the swirling winds of a hurricane. What happens here is the water is pushed onshore by the force if the hurricane and tropical storm winds as they make landfall causing severe flooding at the coast.
This is our second installment of our series of blog posts about hurricanes and flooding. With hurricane season being upon us Seaman’s Insurance Group wants to be here to help you learn and prepare for the storms that may be coming our way, here, on the First Coast. Keep in mind Flood losses are not covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy. Flood insurance is a separate policy. Some carriers offer an endorsement that may add this coverage to your policy but most don’t offer this and you will need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy in order to be covered. Please contact Seaman’s Insurance Group to discuss your coverage needs and options.