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Flood Awareness Month in Oklahoma

By
Real Estate Appraiser with Jack Gentry Real Estate Appraisals

Historically, the greatest numbers of flood disasters in Oklahoma have occurred during the Month of May. After fire damage, floods are the most common and widespread of all natural disasters. Typically, flooding after spring rains, heavy thunderstorms, or winter snow thaws, cause more than $2 billion in property damage and numerous deaths each year.

In 2004, Governor Brad Henry of Oklahoma designated May as "Flood Awareness Month" (see link). The State Legislature followed the Governor's lead and enacted H.B. 2284 - The Oklahoma Floodplain Management Act. Communities participating in the National Floodplain Insurance Program (NFIP) must be aware of the changes made with the new law. The basic ramifications of H.B. 2284 require that a floodplain administrator must be accredited by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and designated by a floodplain board to administer and implement laws and regulations relating to the management of floodplains. Fortunately, for us laymen, the State offers a handy online guide, Oklahoma's Floodplain Management 101 (see link), which details the plan in eight (8) informative chapters.

Obviously, the State of Oklahoma recognizes the risk and expense of flooding and is attempting to garner public attention and support. It's unfortunate, but true, that most basic homeowner's insurance policies do not provide coverage to protect against damages created by flooding. Over 87% of structures located in Oklahoma's designated floodplains have no flood insurance at all. That is approximately 66,937 structures without coverage.

Flood insurance is available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIB). NFIP flood insurance can be purchased directly from local property and casualty insurance agents or insurance companies as long as the local community participates in the NFIP. Consumers can find out if their community participates at www.floodsmart.gov or by contacting their local insurance agents or companies directly.

To enhance awareness of the availability of federal flood insurance, as well as inform Oklahomans about intelligent floodplain management and development procedures, Governor Brad Henry recently designated March as "Flood Insurance Month" in Oklahoma. The timing of the Flood Insurance Month designation is quite appropriate because Oklahoma's spring flooding season is just around the corner. Most flood insurance policies require a 30-day waiting period. Typically, most of Oklahoma's flooding disasters have occurred during the spring, therefore now is the time for residents in designated floodplains to purchase flood insurance, if they have not already. Flood insurance can be purchased from any licensed property insurance agent.

Please be advised that Jack Gentry Real Estate Appraisals does not make endorsements or recommendations regarding insurance companies or their agents.

Comments (1)

1~Judi Barrett
Integrity Real Estate Services 116 SE AVE N, Idabel, OK 74745 - Idabel, OK
BS Ed, Integrity Real Estate Services -IDABEL OK

Jack, Hasn't the last couple of years been really crazy for dry spells and then floods in some Oklahoma areas???   You are invited to join us at "Journaling in The Rain"


A place to post your day or your week.  The days of our lives are the segments that connect it together and the way that we get to know each other on this planet.

We are all so busy and sometimes can't remember what happened yesterday, let alone what happened last week. 

Journaling In The Rain is a great place to post those things and who knows, by recording them, they may lead to specific posts about certain happenings.  Journaling also can lead us to change the way that we spend our days.


Judi Barrett

Jun 14, 2008 11:50 PM