According to the Insurance Information Institute, “homeowners insurance provides financial protection against disasters. A standard policy insures the home itself and the things you keep in it”.
The winter of 2007-2008 has been excellent for winter adventurers with one of the best snow packs in recent years. The amount of snow accumulated was felt state wide with the week long storms that deliver heavy snow falls. Washington residents noticed the snow fall with the multiple temporary pass closures scattered throughout the winter months. But as the winter season comes to a close and snow equipment is packed up until next year, Snohomish County home owners are preparing for the much anticipated warmer temperatures ahead.
Warmer temperatures usually means taking care of household chores, playing sports and family camping trips but it also means the increase risk of potential damages due to fire and flood, depending where you live in the State. In Snohomish County the risk is higher for floods and home owners need to be prepared with a homeowners insurance policy that covers them in case there are damages.
The Snohomish River Basin (Skykomish, the Snoqualmie and Snohomish Rivers) and the Stillaguamish River Basin (North and South Fork of the Stillaguamish River and Pilchuck Creek) comprise the majority of fresh water delivered to the Puget Sound.
Ever year, residents living near these rivers get a close up view of rising river levels and if you do not have a flood insurance policy in place it can be a very stressful time of the year. Unfortunately flood insurance is not bundled with a normal homeowners policy and must be added separately. But if you live near one of these major rivers it would be wise to look into adding flood insurance in addition to your normal policy while keeping a close watch on river levels.
Snohomish County has a flood watch program on their website which gives up-to-date river levels across the county, view flood map. The warning system shows the “100 year flood plain” and the various Phases of both the Stillaguamish and Snohomish River Basins.
Make sure to review your homeowners policy before it is too late and get the coverage that meets all your needs, even if “it can not happen to me” crosses your mind.
Believe it or not, certain parts of Las Vegas need to have flood issurance as well. A few years ago several homes and an entire trailer park were flooded. The city has since improved the drainage system, but it hasn’t been tested since either. I don’t think you have too much insurance.
I’m assuming these were flash floods in Vegas. Snohomish County doesn’t really have flash floods since the rain ultimately fills the rivers and they can be watched. But a few years ago, on my way home from a football game in Decemeber, there was flash flooding in downtown Kirkland (living there at the time). It was surprising and caught many homeowners off guard…it is better to be safe than sorry.