Think your home is safe from flooding? Regardless of whether you are on the coast or in the mountainous regions, every homeowner in North Carolina needs to have flood insurance as the volatile weather could cause flooding which is disastrous.
Floods can happen at any point in time, sometimes without any prior information, and they can leave behind a great deal of damage to the premises particularly the infrastructure as well as personal resources.
But inland properties also need flood insurance as they too can suffer from hurricanes. Even the mountains in North Carolina have experienced a hurricane recently, raining havoc on them from Hurricane Helene. That is why more now than ever before, it is vitlly important for you to cover your house with flood insurance.
The Unique Risks Coastal Properties Face
Along the coast in North Carolina, storm surges from hurricanes and tropical storms are a major concern. During the storm, these walls of water are capable of pushing inland and seeping across large areas, causing catastrophic flood damage. If you are not in the path of a storm, heavy rainfall and rising tides can still cause extensive damage.
- Hurricanes and Storm Surges: Coastal homes are especially prone to flooding from storm surges, which can occur during hurricanes. A rise can in a split second flood regions with many feet of water, conceding numerous structures and significant assets.
- Heavy Rains: The heavy downpours that usually accompany hurricanes, such as those affecting parts of the North Coast and Bay Area this week, can soak soil to capacity so well it slides away during flash floods.
That leaves homeowners to pay the expensive bill of repairing or replacing their property, if they don’t have flood insurance. This could even involve personal effects, electrical systems and other damage.
Inland Homes Are Also at Risk
Although the predominant perception is that coastal homes take on the most damage from hurricanes, inland properties are not immune to untold disaster. The truth is that hurricanes like Hurricane Helene have experienced significant flooding far from the coastline, including in the North Carolina mountains. But many homeowners do not consider purchasing this very important form of insurance which can be a lifeline when an unexpected event, such as flooding takes place.
Hurricane Helene’s Damage to Homes in the Mountains
The September storm pushed the day’s temperatures up to near record levels in North Carolina as Helene moved inland, spreading heavy rain and flooding epic proportions into an area that does not have an extensive history of being hit by strong hurricanes. Areas with mountains that experience heavy rainfall from hurricanes can be at high risk of flash flooding due to the ground already being wet or rivers and creeks overflowing.
- Flash Flooding: Inland areas, hundreds of miles from the coastline, can be flooded by excessive rainfall in association with a hurricane, thanks to rivers, creeks and drainage systems that become overloaded. Such floods can leave homes destroyed and cripple the supply networks for basic needs.
Why Flood Insurance is Essential
The damage caused by flooding can be catastrophic—and costly. Most regular homeowners insurance policies won’t cover flood damages, which means you could be out of pocket to pay for repairs. Examples of this type are FEMA flood insurance, which covers certain types of disasters that property may face in order to be repaired or replaced after a storm.
- This is worth considering: one inch of water in your house can lead to repair expenses exceeding $25000. Flood insurance provides coverage for everything including structural damage, lost appliances and furniture. Otherwise, a lot of homeowners would really have difficulty to recover from the catastrophic loss floods can cause.
Examples of Areas at Risk
Flood insurance might seem relevant only to our beach dwelling brothers and sisters, but that’s not true. Areas such, as in Gastonia, or even Shelby, or also Forest City, the homes may be impacted by a storm.
So generally, one has to talk about more options. Inland flooding is a real danger when periods of heavy rainfall occur, or when a hurricane carries moisture deep inland.
Even for those not residing in the whips of a so-called extraordinarily hazardous flood area, it cannot be ruled out that flooding occurs in such neighborhoods. Flooding is in fact a risk that exists for almost anyone for something like North Carolina’s terrain and weather can change dramatically.
The Cost of Flood Damage
A few inches of water can mean a lot of damage, sometimes thousands of dollars. For coastal properties, the risks are obvious and quite clear. But for inland homes, it is greatly essential as well.
Homeowners in coastal and inland regions without flood insurance are liable to pay for:
- Structual Damage: Floods can do a number on the foundations, walls, and roofs of the structures.
- Electrical and Plumbing Systems: Water can be costly in the destruction of such systems from electrical surges, to flooding, and other issues.
- Personal Belongings: Flooding can wipe out furniture, appliances and even cherished valuable possessions.
Be Proactive and Protect Your Property
North Carolina residents, regardless of your geographical position on the oceans or inland areas, should appreciate the dangers posed by hurricanes and floods to their dwellings.
Hurricane Helene has proven that flooding can occur even in areas away from the coastline. Be it the mountains or the beachfront, flood insurance provides good coverage against loss of property and possessions.
Get Covered with A1 Insurance
From the sea shore to the mountains, A1 Insurance recognizes the risks homeowners endure in North Carolina. We have solutions for flood insurance to help you. Don’t wait for the worst—reach us now, get a customized flood insurance quote and be rest assured for the next storm.
Avoid the threat of floods without the necessary precautions regardless of whether you’re in the foothills or on the coast. Our insurance plans make sure you’re safe.
Call us right away to get a flood insurance quote and allow us to secure your assets. Keep yourself well-prepared and well-protected.
If you need to be covered in NC, contact A1 Insurance today!
- Gastonia Office – (704) 866 7550
- Shelby Office – (704) 481 8223
- Forest City Office – (828) 245 3937