Are You Insured?
The City of Auburn is an active participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and plays a leading role in keeping citizens informed regarding local floodplain [ddd1] [TK2] and how it can affect their property. Even if your property is not located in a high risk flood area it is a good idea to buy flood insurance, as 25% of all flood insurance claims come from areas with minimal flood risk. Two important facts that citizens should know are:
· Homeowner’s insurance policies DO NOT cover flood damages or losses.
· Insurance policies have a 30-day waiting period BEFORE coverage goes into effect.
There are two types of Flood Insurance Coverage offered: 1. Building Property, up to $250,000 , and 2. Personal Property (Contents), up to $100,000. The NFIP encourages people to purchase both types of coverage. Your mortgage company can also require that you purchase a certain amount of flood insurance. Below are two documents to assist you before purchasing a home or if you already own your home. Check Before You Buy Mandatory Purchase of Flood Insurance Requirements
Property Protection Measures
During the past 100 years, flooding has been the number one cause of property damage in North America each year. There are some permanent retrofitting techniques that can help to eliminate or reduce flood damage:
· Elevating your house 1 ft. above the base flood elevation.
· Flood proofing your house to make the walls and flooring watertight so that water cannot enter.
· If you know you are in a flood prone area, flood-vent the crawl space under your home so that water can flow through.
The City of Auburn Public Works Department is available for site visits to review flooding, drainage and sewage [ddd1] issues and to [TK2] provide one-on-one advice to the property owner on appropriate flood protection measures. We are also available to assist in reviewing and critiquing retrofit plans for flood-prone residences and buildings.
Natural and Beneficial Functions of the Local Floodplain
Floodplain areas and wetlands provide a wide range of benefits to both human and natural systems. Flood control and water quality are the two most important aspects of our local floodplain. Wetlands absorb water during heavy rainfall or flooding and slowly release the waters downstream, reducing flood damage. Also, wetlands and wetland plants help to absorb and filter potentially harmful chemicals and pollutants. The City of Auburn is home to several identified, undeveloped floodplain areas which provide recreation, education, and research critical to our local economy. Several successful projects have been implemented to protect the City of Auburn’s valuable wetlands including: the Town Creek Park Stream Restoration, a Pocket Wetland at the County Dumpster/Compactor Site, Parkerson Mill Creek Clean-Ups, and the wetlands located at Wrights Mill Road Elementary School.