What Is Flood Damage in RI?

What Is A Flood Zone?

A Flood Zone is a geographical location that is assigned by FEMA and is used to describe areas that are at risk of a flood. These locations are mapped out and made available to the public. They are also known as Special Flood Hazard Areas or SFHA. According to FEMA, these locations will be inundated by the flood event having a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year, also known as the base flood or 100-year flood. FEMA is the best and most reliable source in order to find out where the closest flood zone is to you or if you live in a flood zone. Flood zones are typically those that are near the coast or by large masses of water, but most of Rhode Island is at flood risk due to its low elevation and large amounts of water surrounding it.

What Should You Do?

After checking with FEMA to see if you are in a flood zone, your next safe step would be to get flood insurance as many insurance policies will not directly cover that. Most flood insurance policies are through private companies, but there is government-funded coverage for flood insurance with the National Flood Insurance Program or NFIP. They offer reduced pricing on flood insurance based on what you are doing as a homeowner to properly protect your home against flooding. There are many different ways that you can protect your home from flooding and keep your property safe.

Ways To Prevent Flood Damage in RI

As soon as there is any type of flood damage to your home, your contents are likely to get either badly damaged or destroyed.

Elevating Your Appliances

Electrical equipment, heating and cooling systems, and other utilities should be raised from the ground so that they are less of a risk of becoming submerged during a flood and causing other issues or damage. The general height that your utilities need to meet is called the base flood elevation, or BFE. If your appliances fall below this line, you may be charged additionally to your premium for it.

Installing Flood Openings

In a basement, a flood opening is typically installed in newer homes that are built in high-risk flood areas. These passageways provide an escape route for the water to quickly exit your home through the base of it, as to not build up the water.

Filling in your Basement

According to the NFIP, a basement is any room that has its floor below BFE on all sides, so anything below that line is considered a basement. It is smart to have these areas of the home sealed off and filled in to prevent water from entering.

Elevate Your Home

Raising your home to have it above the BFE line will save you tons of money on flood insurance. Getting an elevation certificate will further prove that your home is safe and protected.

What To Do In The Event Of A Flood?

Call us! Here at Rhode Island Restoration, we have trained professionals and the latest technology in the restoration game. You can trust us with your home and belongings as we will take proper care and treat it with the utmost respect; cleaning and ridding your home of any and all water, preventing any further damage.