What happens if your home floods?

You may live somewhere that flooding seems very unlikely. If that’s the case, you may be wondering what happens in a flood.

If your home or business floods from rising water (and not from a burst pipe or something similar) your home is not covered by your regular homeowner’s insurance. In order to have your house covered by insurance, you must have flood insurance which only comes from a federal program.

If you were blessed to have flood insurance and your house flooded, you would be eligible for up to $250,000 in repairs plus contents. Although, I have friends who could tell us it’s not as easy to get your money as it sounds.

Without flood insurance, you might be eligible for a FEMA grant of $33,000.

Most homeowners flooded in the Great Flood of 2016 in Louisiana did not have flood insurance.

You might wonder why.

Almost all the areas flooded had never flooded before. I have heard reports repeatedly of 40 and 50 year residents who had never had any issues with rising water. Furthermore, the federal flood zone determination placed them outside of flood-prone areas. Additionally, their mortgage lenders did not require federal flood insurance.

The Great Flood of 2016 was unlike anything seen in Louisiana in a lifetime.

Who are the people who flooded?

For the most part, they are middle income Americans – – not wealthy but not poor. They lived in subdivisions in three bedroom, two bath homes. These are the kind of homes where new kitchen appliances and cabinets would eat up the $33,000 FEMA assistance.

These people are going to need a lot to be made whole.

But I have good news. Many people from around the country are seeking to help, with both labor and resources. The faith based community is amazing.

I have more good news – – the people of Louisiana are a resilient people.

I have seen that resiliency in my 40 years as a resident of the state.

I’m not a native, but I hope I have a native’s mentality.

That mentality is “This is home and I love it. And, I’m going to take care of myself and someone else at the same time.”

It’s one of the reasons why I love this place.

I write a daily look at life and Scripture. If you would like to sign up for a free subscription, you can do so at waylonbailey.com or in the box below.