COLUMBUS, OH – National Flood Awareness Week, March 14-20, is an excellent time for Ohioans to determine their local flood risks, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Soil and Water Resources.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) publishes flood maps for the purpose of identifying areas at risk of the 1-percent-annual-chance flood, or base flood.
If you are interested in viewing the floodplain maps for your area contact your local floodplain administrator or visit FEMA’s Map Service Center, http://msc.fema.gov.
These maps are the basis for the flood zone determinations that banks (and other lenders) use to determine who needs to purchase flood insurance. In terms of local floodplain management programs, possession and use of the appropriate FEMA floodplain map(s) and Flood Insurance Study is a participation requirement for all communities in the National Flood Insurance Program.
Carrying flood insurance is one of the easiest ways a homeowner, renter, business owner or community can mitigate, or lessen, the affects of property damage associated with high water, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
A flood insurance policy can be written to cover structures, contents of structures, or structures and contents combined. Any licensed property or casualty insurance agent can write a flood insurance policy.
Although most flood insurance policies are written by local agents, the policies are underwritten by the National Flood Insurance Program of the federal government. Individual communities must participate in the program for flood insurance to be made available. In Ohio, more than 700 municipalities, as well as 86 of the 88 counties participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. Flood insurance is available in a township if the county in which it is located participates in the National Flood Insurance Program.
If you want to learn more about flood insurance, visit FloodSmart.gov. At this site, you will be able to find a local agent, learn additional flood facts, assess your flood risk, and file a claim.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at ohiodnr.com.
For more information, contact:
Christopher Thoms, ODNR Soil & Water Resources
614. 265. 6750
Heidi Hetzel-Evans, ODNR Media Relations
614. 265. 6860