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Residents given advice if they become a victim of flooding
By VALERIE JONES
The effects of Tropical Storm Eduoard are steady making their way around Houston. As with any tropical storm, some residents are experiencing heavy rainfall and that always brings a chance for flooding.
Harris County Flood Control District has been encouraging residents all summer to invest in flood insurance, if they haven’t already, as preparation for hurricane season.
In the instance that one’s home is flooded and he or she has flood insurance, Allstate Insurance offers steps that can ease along the claims process.
“Residents should take note of insurance companies and policy numbers,” said Kristen Beaman, spokesperson for Allstate Insurance. “This makes for a smoother process when issuing a claim.”
Beaman also suggested that people have important paper documents, identification, bills and checkbooks handy so they can easily access their information.
“You know, a lot of people don’t really know what they have in their home,” Beaman said. “It’s best to have an updated home inventory. Take pictures of items — things that can be replaced and things that cannot. Keep a record of your valuables and put them in a safe location.”
Beaman said residents who receive flood damage should immediately report the claim to their insurance company.
“Doing an inventory before the claims adjuster arrives at your home speeds the process up, too,” Beaman said.
One thing people don’t realize, Beaman mentioned, is that they can make temporary emergency repairs. They don’t have to wait.
“For example, if there is a hole in your roof or the windshield in your car is shattered, go ahead and make temporary repairs to prevent further damage,” she said. “As long as you keep the receipts, it’s fine.”
By following these steps, Beaman said it can make things easier for homeowners during an already trying time.
For those who do not have flood insurance, they’re taking a chance during hurricane season.
“If someone didn’t have flood insurance and there’s no federal declaration for assistance, I’m afraid we wouldn’t be able to help them,” said FEMA spokesperson Earl Armstrong.
Armstrong described a federal declaration for assistance as being when the governor of a state asks for assistance from FEMA after an event like a flood.
“FEMA will then get together with the state and local officials and do a preliminary damage assessment,” Armstrong said. “The damages we see help the governor decide whether or not to ask for assistance. After the governor makes the decision, FEMA processes the request.”
He said the request is based on several different factors including: how widespread the damages are, how many people have insurance, number of people affected and severity of the event. The FEMA president then makes the final decision.
“There are major disaster declarations for people and businesses, but there’s also some for public assistance,” he said. “Local and state governments are helped reimbursed for repairs made to roads, bridges and other facilities.”
Armstrong said public assistance was the kind of help received during Hurricane Dolly recently.
Harris County Flood Control District has been encouraging residents all summer to invest in flood insurance, if they haven’t already, as preparation for hurricane season.
In the instance that one’s home is flooded and he or she has flood insurance, Allstate Insurance offers steps that can ease along the claims process.
“Residents should take note of insurance companies and policy numbers,” said Kristen Beaman, spokesperson for Allstate Insurance. “This makes for a smoother process when issuing a claim.”
Beaman also suggested that people have important paper documents, identification, bills and checkbooks handy so they can easily access their information.
“You know, a lot of people don’t really know what they have in their home,” Beaman said. “It’s best to have an updated home inventory. Take pictures of items — things that can be replaced and things that cannot. Keep a record of your valuables and put them in a safe location.”
Beaman said residents who receive flood damage should immediately report the claim to their insurance company.
“Doing an inventory before the claims adjuster arrives at your home speeds the process up, too,” Beaman said.
One thing people don’t realize, Beaman mentioned, is that they can make temporary emergency repairs. They don’t have to wait.
“For example, if there is a hole in your roof or the windshield in your car is shattered, go ahead and make temporary repairs to prevent further damage,” she said. “As long as you keep the receipts, it’s fine.”
By following these steps, Beaman said it can make things easier for homeowners during an already trying time.
For those who do not have flood insurance, they’re taking a chance during hurricane season.
“If someone didn’t have flood insurance and there’s no federal declaration for assistance, I’m afraid we wouldn’t be able to help them,” said FEMA spokesperson Earl Armstrong.
Armstrong described a federal declaration for assistance as being when the governor of a state asks for assistance from FEMA after an event like a flood.
“FEMA will then get together with the state and local officials and do a preliminary damage assessment,” Armstrong said. “The damages we see help the governor decide whether or not to ask for assistance. After the governor makes the decision, FEMA processes the request.”
He said the request is based on several different factors including: how widespread the damages are, how many people have insurance, number of people affected and severity of the event. The FEMA president then makes the final decision.
“There are major disaster declarations for people and businesses, but there’s also some for public assistance,” he said. “Local and state governments are helped reimbursed for repairs made to roads, bridges and other facilities.”
Armstrong said public assistance was the kind of help received during Hurricane Dolly recently.
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