Prepare for Flood Season
Floods can happen anywhere and just one inch of floodwater can cause up to $25,000 in damage. Did you know most homeowner insurance policies do not cover flood damage? Flood insurance is a separate policy that is designed to cover the building, the contents within the building, or both. If you live within a regulated flood hazard area, your mortgage company will require you to obtain flood insurance for your building. If a portion of your property but not the building falls within a floodplain, flood insurance would not be required. In this situation, the property owner would be required to submit documentation verifying that the building is out of the floodplain.
The City can assist you in determining if only the lot or the building and lot are located within a floodplain. Contact Director of Community Development, Michael Zeek, at mzeek@marylandheights.com or (314) 291-6550. Interactive maps are also available on the City’s website at www.marylandheights.com/floodmaps. These maps are based on FEMA’s flood insurance rate maps which are available at msc.fema.gov/portal/home.
In an effort to assist our residents, the City of Maryland Heights participates in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System (CRS). Due to our participation, we are able to obtain a reduction in flood insurance premiums for property owners within Maryland Heights. As a commitment to our property owners, we continue to improve our management efforts to increase the rating of the City.
To purchase flood insurance, call your insurance company or insurance agent. This will be the same person who sells your home or auto insurance. If you need help finding a provider, visit www.floodsmart.gov or call the National Flood Insurance Program at (877) 336- 2627. There is typically a 30-day waiting period for policies to go into effect, so don’t wait until flooding is imminent.
If your building is located in a floodplain, there are a number of measures which can be taken, besides obtaining flood insurance, to mitigate damage and protect your investment. Such measures includes incorporating flood-resistant materials, raising utilities to a higher elevation, and installing sewer back-flow valves. If you have any questions about floodplain requirements, flood insurance, to find out if you are within a floodplain, or to request a site visit, please contact Director of Community Development, Michael Zeek, at mzeek@marylandheights.com or (314) 291-6550.
The City can assist you in determining if only the lot or the building and lot are located within a floodplain. Contact Director of Community Development, Michael Zeek, at mzeek@marylandheights.com or (314) 291-6550. Interactive maps are also available on the City’s website at www.marylandheights.com/floodmaps. These maps are based on FEMA’s flood insurance rate maps which are available at msc.fema.gov/portal/home.
In an effort to assist our residents, the City of Maryland Heights participates in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System (CRS). Due to our participation, we are able to obtain a reduction in flood insurance premiums for property owners within Maryland Heights. As a commitment to our property owners, we continue to improve our management efforts to increase the rating of the City.
To purchase flood insurance, call your insurance company or insurance agent. This will be the same person who sells your home or auto insurance. If you need help finding a provider, visit www.floodsmart.gov or call the National Flood Insurance Program at (877) 336- 2627. There is typically a 30-day waiting period for policies to go into effect, so don’t wait until flooding is imminent.
If your building is located in a floodplain, there are a number of measures which can be taken, besides obtaining flood insurance, to mitigate damage and protect your investment. Such measures includes incorporating flood-resistant materials, raising utilities to a higher elevation, and installing sewer back-flow valves. If you have any questions about floodplain requirements, flood insurance, to find out if you are within a floodplain, or to request a site visit, please contact Director of Community Development, Michael Zeek, at mzeek@marylandheights.com or (314) 291-6550.