New Website Separates Fact from Fiction About Flooding in Hampton Roads
There are many misconceptions about flooding in Hampton Roads. An advisory group of municipal planners and emergency management staff representing 17 local Hampton Roads jurisdictions developed this go-to source to make residents aware of the indisputable facts associated with flooding in the region and encourage them to act responsibly by making sure their homes and businesses are covered by flood insurance. GetFloodFluent.org is a region-wide public awareness campaign developed to help Hampton Roads residents separate fact from fiction about flooding in the region. The website, www.GetFloodFluent.org, educates about flood risks in Hampton Roads using easy-to-understand language, an interactive challenge to test their flooding fluency, video stories of local residents whose homes were devastated by local flooding, and lots of facts.
Key facts should residents know about flooding in Hampton Roads
- Floods are the most common natural disasters, and anywhere it can rain, it can flood. In addition, it doesn’t even have to raining for flooding to occur; it can come from storm surge, high tides or high wind.
- Hampton Roads is surrounded by water, making our area especially susceptible to flooding, and the region is experiencing the highest rate of sea level rise on the East Coast.
- If you live in a low-risk area for flooding, that doesn’t mean “no risk.” More than 1 in 5 claims to the National Flood Insurance Program in South Hampton Roads have been for properties outside of high-risk flood zones.
- Flood damage to your home and property isn’t typically covered by homeowners or renters insurance.
Homeowners can contact their insurance agent to see if flooding insurance is offered. If it is, they should ask for a specific quote. If it isn’t and they would like a referral, they can contact the National Flood Insurance Program’s Help Center at 1-800-427-4611. And remember, there is a 30-day waiting period before your flood insurance policy goes into effect. Once flooding starts, it’s too late.