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