The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has released guidance for families and small businesses on preparing for flooding. Mechele Agbayani Mills, president and CEO of BBB Central East Texas, said floods do not leave much time to plan and that preparation before a disaster is important.
According to FEMA, one inch of floodwater can cause up to $25,000 in damage. The guidance says more than 20% of flood insurance claims come from properties outside high-risk flood zones. It advises checking a property's risk on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center and notes that many flood insurance policies have a waiting period before coverage begins. The National Flood Insurance Program offers up to $250,000 in structural coverage and $100,000 for contents, and private policies may offer broader or faster coverage.
Other steps include making a detailed inventory of property with photos or video, elevating appliances, installing sump pumps with battery backups, keeping an emergency kit, and avoiding floodwaters, which may hide electrical hazards or debris. After flooding, the BBB advises documenting damage before cleanup, contacting an insurer quickly, and checking that contractors are licensed and insured, that contracts are in writing and that full payment is not made upfront.