By REBECCA SLOAN
By REBECCA SLOAN
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
ECAUSE OF THE RECENT TOR-rential rains, flooding has become a dangerous reality for Mahoning and Shenango Valley residents.
Walter Duzzny, director of the Mahoning County Emergency Management Agency, said homeowners should educate themselves on what to do in the event of a flood.
"The first thing people need to do is check their home insurance policy to refresh themselves on whether or not they have flood insurance," Duzzny said. "Lots of people think they have flood insurance when in reality they do not. It is all too common for a basement to flood and for the homeowner to realize too late that their policy does not protect them against damages or losses."
Marlene Dreves, of Dreves Insurance Agency in Girard, said standard homeowner's policies do not include flood insurance.
"If you want flood insurance, you have to obtain it through a separate policy," Dreves said.
Dreves said most people do not have flood insurance unless they live in a flood plain and the bank forces them to obtain flood insurance when they buy their home.
"Lots of people don't want to have flood insurance because the premium can be very expensive. Sometimes if a bank makes a homeowner get flood insurance, the homeowner will even try to drop it after their mortgage has been approved and all the papers have been signed," she said.
Dreves said the cost of obtaining flood insurance will depend on the location of the home and its potential for flooding.
"Most of us do not live in flood plains, although there are a few local areas in Niles and Boardman that are classified as flood plains," Dreves said. "If you are curious about whether or not you live in a flood plain, you can ask about it through your local bank. Banks keep maps showing the flood plains in each county."
Policy differences
Different types of flood insurance are available for flooding.
For example, while a standard homeowner's insurance policy will not cover flood damage from rising waters from excessive rains, it will cover damage from sewer backups.
"This type of flood insurance is called sewer-drain backup coverage. It covers damages to major appliances such as hot water heaters or furnaces. However, it will not cover damage to things like furniture or carpet. This is important to realize if your home has a finished basement. Most people do have sewer and drain backup coverage with their regular homeowner's policy," Dreves explained.
Whether it's a part of the homeowner's policy or a separate policy, all flood insurance is written through the National Flood Insurance Program and is administered by the Federal Management Agency.
In extreme cases of flooding where entire neighborhoods have been jeopardized, the federal government will step in to take care of the cost of cleanup, Duzzny said.
And it's often best to leave the cleanup to the professionals.
"A flooded basement can be a dangerous place because of the mix of rising water and electrical appliances. If your basement is flooded and electrical appliances are under water, you should use common sense and stay out of there. Contact the Home Builders Association, and find a qualified contractor who can come in and clean up the mess," Duzzny said.
Preparation and cleanup
Duzzny recommends unplugging major appliances in the basement if flood warnings have been issued for your area.
"You should also keep electrical appliances as far off the ground as possible to prevent damages in case of a flood," he said.
Having a flashlight, batteries and a battery-operated sump pump on hand will help homeowners contend with minor flooding.
And if a homeowner decides to clean up after of a minor flood, Duzzny said not to forget the disinfectant.
"The steps for clean up include pumping out the water, removing the wet items and disinfecting the area that has been water logged. Unfortunately, people often forget to disinfect their basement after a flood," Duzzny said.
It's also important to use disinfectants wisely and take care not to mix chemicals that might create toxic fumes.
Of course, flooding dangers stretch beyond water in a home's basement.
"If your home sits on a grade, flooding could weaken the structure and cause the home to literally fall apart and slide down the grade. Heavy rains can also cave in roofs," Duzzny said.