As Bluestem noted yesterday in Flood worries spill out across state; overflow crowd greets Dayton in Montevideo, the western reaches of the Minnesota River Valley are expected to experience some of the worst flooding this spring.
It's not surprising, that Rep. Andrew Falk, who represents HD 20A on the river (Lyle Koenen, 20B, has Montevideo) sent out a press release about flood preparedness. It's importance for property owners to obtan flood insurance ASAP.
From Falk's office:
State Representative Andrew Falk today warned Western Minnesotans to prepare for spring flooding across the region.
“Minnesota’s state government has been preparing for various flooding scenarios,” said Falk, noting Governor Dayton and his administration have held meetings across the state. “I encourage residents in Western Minnesota to be prepared for the spring thaw and take action to protect their assets. If your property is at risk of flooding, I encourage you to look into a flood insurance policy immediately.”
Flood insurance policies are not activated until 30 days after the premium is paid in full.
The Minnesota Department of Commerce has prepared the following flood preparation tips in advance of flood season:Is My Home or Business At Risk?
The best way to know if your home or business is at risk for flooding this spring is by logging on to www.floodsmart.gov. By inputting your address into the Flood Risk Profile, you can find out if your property is in a low, moderate, or high risk flood area. The Flood Risk Profile will also estimate your annual premium cost and suggest local insurance agents serving your area.
What Should I Do Next?
If you already have flood insurance for your home or business, contact your insurance agent to discuss your policy and ensure you are prepared for any possible flooding. Then, take a photo inventory of your building and its contents to properly document your assets. This will save you time and headaches after a flood. You can find out more about home inventory checklists on the Department of Commerce website.If you do not have flood insurance, use the Flood Risk Profile to determine the threat of flooding in your area and identify local insurance agents who can help you purchase flood coverage.
When Should I Start Preparing?
It is important to act now, and take easy, affordable, preventive measures to avoid devastating losses in the upcoming flood season. Flood coverage doesn’t become active until 30 days after your premium is paid in full. It may be better to pay a few hundred dollars for an affordable flood policy now than pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages after it is too late. Remember, even if your property has never flooded before, 25 percent of all flood insurance claims are in areas where residents and business owners never expected a flood to occur.
Who Do I Contact With Questions?
You may call the Commerce Department consumer helpline with any questions you have regarding flood insurance at (651) 296-2488. You can also find more information about residential and commercial flood insurance on our website at www.commerce.state.mn.us.
Photo: State Rep. Andrew Falk.
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