| With even state and national governments | | | | increase the risk. Ground that is frozen hard |
| finding their budgets taxed by flood costs, | | | | or baked dry on top is likely to whisk water |
| individual property owners can't afford to go | | | | your way. Rapidly developing communities are |
| without flood insurance. Even damage from a | | | | sometimes given a shock when the first |
| burst water main is likely to be considered | | | | rainfall reveals deficiencies in their |
| ineligible for payments from a property | | | | drainage systems. |
| policy. The government has increased efforts | | | | |
| to warn property owners of flood risk in | | | | The trials of communities facing floods in |
| light of recent disasters. | | | | both England and North America have been |
| | | | front-page news. The message coming from many |
| Flooding is an almost universal danger in | | | | government agencies is that when it comes to |
| developed areas-factors such as drainage, | | | | flooding, property owners can pay now or pay |
| snowmelt and manmade water systems can | | | | later. Paying now is usually the more |
| contribute to disaster. Heavy rain is not | | | | attractive option-although the dented bottom |
| necessary for a flood to occur. A good flood | | | | lines of many insurers may make some say |
| insurance policy will cover these bases for | | | | otherwise. |
| you, allowing you to enjoy security for your | | | | |
| home or business. | | | | Court battles over insurance claims resulting |
| | | | from disasters such as Katrina have left hard |
| Thousands of communities face hidden flood | | | | feelings on the side of both victims and |
| dangers. Insulated from the coast, not known | | | | insurers. Recent rulings have pointed more |
| for heavy rain, residents in some areas are | | | | strongly to the need for home and business |
| likely to underestimate the risk of flooding. | | | | owners to purchase flood insurance alongside |
| The government and insurance companies have | | | | their property insurance policies. |
| taken steps to inform New Jersey residents of | | | | |
| the importance of flood insurance. | | | | The federal government has established a |
| | | | clearinghouse for flood risk assessments and |
| A cornerstone of governmental information | | | | flood insurers. The site contains tools that |
| campaigns on flooding has been the fact that | | | | can rate your flood risk based on your |
| it can strike almost anywhere. Factors such | | | | address, as well as help you estimate what |
| as flat ground and poor water absorption can | | | | your premium will cost. |