In recent years, Huntsville, Alabama has experienced an increase in severe weather events, leading to heightened concerns about flood risk for residents living in apartment buildings. As a result, many have begun to turn their attention to flood insurance options, seeking protection against the potentially devastating financial impacts of flooding.

It is essential for property owners in Huntsville to understand the ins and outs of apartment building flood insurance, ensuring they have adequate coverage in the event of a flood.

One of the key aspects of obtaining flood insurance for apartment buildings in Huntsville is the understanding of the requirements and coverage limitations dictated by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), this program offers coverage to both property owners and renters, providing a safety net against flood-related damage.

However, it is vital to evaluate the specific needs and risks of individual apartment buildings, as well as consider the differences between NFIP policies and private flood insurance options. Coverages available for apartment buildings through the National Flood Insurance Program are

• $500,000 on the structure of a building
• $500,000 of business property coverage

Navigating the world of flood insurance for apartment buildings can be complex, especially considering the unique challenges that Huntsville, Alabama residents may face due to location and varying flood risk levels.

By thoroughly researching available policies, understanding the requirements of NFIP, and staying informed on the ever-changing landscape of flood risk in the region, both tenants and property owners can make informed decisions to protect their homes and investments in the event of a flood.

Flood Insurance in Huntsville, Alabama

Huntsville, Alabama, is a city that has experienced its share of floods due to its location and topography. As such, residents and property owners must consider obtaining flood insurance to protect their assets from potential flood damage.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a government-backed program designed to provide affordable flood insurance for property owners in communities that participate in the program. Huntsville is one such community. Flood insurance provided through the NFIP covers both the building and its contents, offering protection from property damage and financial loss.

When considering flood insurance in Huntsville, it's crucial to understand that standard homeowners insurance, business insurance, and renters insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Therefore, it is necessary to acquire separate flood insurance. The cost of flood insurance varies depending on factors such as the flood zone designation, property elevation, and additional risk factors.

Huntsville property owners can access the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) to identify their property's flood zone designation. It is recommended to consult with a local insurance agent or city officials for assistance in determining the specific requirements and costs of flood insurance based on this information.

Elevation certificates may also help lower the cost of flood insurance on your apartment building helping you maximize profit per door.

In summary, flood insurance is an essential consideration for property owners in Huntsville, Alabama. By participating in the NFIP and understanding the specific risk factors associated with their property, they can ensure adequate protection and financial security in the event of a flood.

Why You Need Flood Insurance in Alabama for Apartment Buildings

In Huntsville, Alabama, apartment building owners should strongly consider obtaining flood insurance. With a history of flooding events and a location near numerous bodies of water, this city is at risk for potential flood damage. Flood insurance provides financial protection for apartment building owners, ensuring their assets are safeguarded against this natural disaster.

Let me tell you a story about an apartment building owner who suffered a flood. The area had received several inches of rain within a few hours causing more than 6 feet of water to come into the apartment building. The apartment complex went from 100% occupancy overnight to 0% occupancy for 12 months.

Can you imagine what losing rent could do for an apartment building owner in Huntsville? It could bankrupt them, but thankfully this property owner had business interruption coverage on their private flood insurance policy. This gave them the protection they needed for up to 12 months. 

Huntsville endures its fair share of rain, averaging around 54 inches per year. This amount of rainfall can put pressure on the city's drainage systems and cause flash flooding. Additionally, Huntsville is close to two major rivers, the Tennessee River and the Flint River. These rivers can easily overflow their banks, leading to more frequent and severe flooding events.

Apartment building flood insurance can help Huntsville building owners recover from disasters more quickly. Repairing flood-damaged apartments can be costly, and building owners can face financial losses without proper insurance coverage. Examples of covered expenses include costs for:

• Structural repairs
• Electrical and plumbing system restoration
• Replacement of damaged fixtures and appliances

Moreover, it is essential to note that regular property insurance policies often do not cover flood damage. This exclusion makes a separate flood insurance policy a necessity for apartment building owners in Huntsville.

In conclusion, apartment building flood insurance is a wise investment for Huntsville, Alabama property owners. By protecting their assets from potential flood damage, they ensure the safety and well-being of their tenants and mitigate financial risks associated with natural disasters.

Understanding Flood Zones in Huntsville

Flood zones are geographic areas designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) based on their risk of flooding. In Huntsville, Alabama, understanding the different flood zones can help property owners make informed decisions about purchasing flood insurance for their apartment buildings.

The city of Huntsville is impacted by several water bodies, including the Tennessee River, Indian Creek, Flint River, Aldridge Creek, and Barren Fork Creek. These water bodies are a source of flooding during periods of heavy rainfall and have led to flood zones being established throughout the city.

• Flood Zone A is the high-risk zone where the risk of flooding is highest. These zones have a 1% annual chance of being flooded, commonly referred to as the 100-year flood. Properties located in this zone would benefit from having flood insurance to mitigate potential damages.
• Flood Zone B refers to areas with a moderate risk of flooding. These zones have a 0.2% annual chance of being flooded, known as the 500-year flood. Although the risk is lower, building owners should still consider obtaining flood insurance to protect their investments.
• Flood Zone C represents areas with the lowest risk of flooding. It is unlikely that these zones will experience significant flooding, but it's important to remember that no area is completely immune to the possibility of flooding.

FEMA provides an online tool called the Flood Map Service Center (MSC) that allows users to look up their property's flood zone. To use the MSC, property owners can input their addresses and receive a report detailing the flood zone classification of their apartment buildings.

In summary, understanding the flood zones in Huntsville, Alabama is crucial for property owners to make informed decisions about purchasing flood insurance. Knowledge of the different zones and their associated risks will help protect investments and ensure the safety and well-being of residents in the event of a flood.

Key Factors in Deciding Flood Coverage

When it comes to apartment building flood insurance in Huntsville, Alabama, there are several key factors to consider when deciding on coverage. We'd like to take this chance to remind everyone that your standard apartment building insurance won't cover flood damages generally.

These factors will help ensure the appropriate level of protection for your property while keeping costs within your budget.

• Location: The geographical location of the apartment building plays a significant role in determining the need for flood insurance. Properties situated in high-risk flood zones are more likely to require coverage. In Huntsville, Alabama, it's crucial to assess your property's risk using flood zone maps provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
• Building Structure: The structural design and materials used in the apartment building can influence the cost of flood insurance and the level of coverage required. Buildings with raised foundations, flood-resistant materials, and proper drainage systems can be better equipped to withstand floods, thus potentially lowering insurance costs.
• Coverage Type: There are two main types of flood insurance- building and contents coverage. Building coverage protects the physical structure of the apartment building, while contents coverage protects the personal belongings of tenants and owners. Apartment building owners must decide whether they need one or both types of coverage based on their specific situation.
• Policy Limits: Flood insurance policy limits are the maximum amounts the insurance provider will pay in the event of a claim. It is important for property owners to evaluate their potential losses in case of a flood and choose a policy with suitable limits. This can prevent underinsuring the property and facing financial setbacks after a flood.

To select the most appropriate apartment building flood insurance coverage in Huntsville, Alabama, consider these key factors and consult with a professional insurance agent experienced in dealing with such policies. It will help ensure the protection of your property and financial stability in the future.

Flood Insurance Options in Huntsville Alabama

There are several flood insurance options available in Huntsville, Alabama. These options include:

1. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): The NFIP is a federal program that offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners in participating communities. It provides coverage for building property and personal property.
   
   A standard National Flood Insurance Program policy will cover the structure of your home and its contents even within the new Risk Rating 2.0 program. However, it's important to keep in mind that the National Flood Insurance Program does not offer any additional coverage for their flood policies.
   
2. Private Flood Insurance: In addition to the NFIP, you can also buy private flood insurance in Alabama. These private flood insurance companies may have different coverage options and may provide additional benefits not offered by the NFIP.
   
   One important thing to keep in mind about these private insurers is that they can definitely offer a more flexible option compared to a standard flood insurance policy with the NFIP and generally, this is due to the fact that we're talking about independent insurance that is not bound by red tapes and certain limitations.
   
3. Excess Flood Insurance: Excess flood insurance is available for property owners who want coverage that exceeds the limits provided by the NFIP. It is typically offered by private insurance companies and can provide higher coverage limits.
   
   It's important to note that flood insurance is typically not included in standard homeowner's insurance policies, so you may need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy to adequately protect your property. It is recommended to consult with a local insurance agent who can provide more information on available options and help you determine the best coverage for your specific needs.

Flood Insurance Costs & Flood Insurance Rates

In order to calculate the cost of insurance for an apartment building in Huntsville, Alabama, several factors need to be considered. These include the building's location, the structure's elevation, and the amount of coverage desired.

Firstly, one must determine the flood zone in which the apartment building is located. Flood zones are designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and indicate areas with various levels of flood risk. Most insurance providers use FEMA's flood zone designations to assess premiums.

Secondly, the building's elevation in relation to the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) plays a significant role in flood insurance costs. BFE represents the estimated elevation water may reach during a 100-year flood. Most flood insurance policies use the BFE as a reference point when determining premiums. Buildings above the BFE have a reduced risk of flooding and typically have lower insurance costs.

Another factor is the amount of coverage desired, which generally falls into two categories: building coverage and content coverage. Building coverage encompasses the physical structure and any permanently installed equipment inside the building. Contents coverage provides protection for personal belongings and property located inside the apartment building. The cost of flood insurance will depend on the coverage amount chosen by the policyholder.

Additionally, the type of policy, such as a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy or a private policy, may affect the overall cost of flood insurance. Some private insurers may offer competitive rates or coverages not available through the NFIP.

In summary, the cost of flood insurance for apartment buildings in Huntsville, Alabama, depends on a combination of factors: the building's location, its elevation in relation to the BFE, the chosen coverage amount, and the type of policy selected.

Comparison of Insurance Companies

In Huntsville, Alabama, there are several insurance companies offering apartment building flood insurance. Each company has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, making it important for property owners to carefully evaluate their options before making a decision.

• Company A is known for its comprehensive coverage and excellent customer service. Their flood insurance policies include coverage for damage caused by heavy rain, storm surges, and overflowing bodies of water. Additionally, they provide financial protection for loss of rental income in case the property becomes uninhabitable due to flooding.
• Company B offers competitively priced flood insurance policies. They focus on providing affordable coverage for apartment building owners while maintaining satisfactory coverage limits. As a result, policyholders can save money on their premiums without compromising on protection for their properties. Company B also offers discounts for customers who bundle their flood insurance with other types of policies.
• Company C specializes in customizing flood insurance policies for apartment buildings, tailoring their coverage to suit the specific needs of each property owner. They assess the building's flood risk based on factors such as location and building materials and offer varying coverage options and deductible amounts accordingly. This allows customers to obtain a policy that matches their unique requirements, ensuring the utmost protection for their property.

To choose the best flood insurance provider for your apartment building in Huntsville, Alabama, it is essential to consider factors such as coverage options, pricing, and customer service. By comparing these elements, you can make a well-informed decision and select the company that best meets your needs and preferences.

How to File a Flood Insurance Claim

When an apartment building in Huntsville, Alabama, suffers flood damage, it's essential to know how to file a flood insurance claim. This process, while straightforward, involves several critical steps to ensure proper coverage and reimbursement.

Step 1: Contact your insurance provider. As soon as you realize there is flood damage, call your insurance company to report the loss. Provide the necessary information, such as the policy number, contact details, and the date of the flood event.

Step 2: Document the damage. Thoroughly document all flood damages by taking photographs and creating a list of damaged items. Include descriptions, the estimated cost of repairs, and the item's pre-flood condition.

Step 3: Complete the necessary forms. Your insurance provider will supply you with the required forms to initiate the claim process. Fill out and submit these forms promptly to avoid delays.

Step 4: Make temporary repairs. Prevent further damage by making temporary repairs, such as boarding up windows or placing tarps on the roof. Keep receipts for any repair expenses to support your claim.

Step 5: Schedule an adjuster visit. Arrange a time for the flood insurance adjuster to inspect the property and assess the damage. Be prepared to provide documentation, such as photographs and a list of damaged items.

Step 6: Review the adjuster's estimate. After the adjuster's inspection, they will provide a detailed report with their estimate for the cost of repairs. Review the report carefully and discuss any discrepancies with the adjuster if necessary.

Stick to the guidelines mentioned above, and the flood insurance claim process should go as smoothly as possible. Remember, the key is to maintain clear communication with your insurance provider and provide all the required documentation to support your claim.

Understanding the Flood Claims Process for Insurance in Alabama

When dealing with apartment building flood insurance in Huntsville, Alabama, it is vital to understand the insurance claim process. This process typically involves a few key steps to ensure that property owners receive proper coverage for any flood damage.

First, the property owner or their representative must report the flood damage to the insurance company. They should document the damage in detail, taking photos or videos as evidence. This documentation is critical in helping the insurance adjuster assess the extent and nature of the damage.

Next, an insurance adjuster visits the property to evaluate the damage personally. They may ask for additional information, such as maintenance records and receipts for repairs or improvements made to the property. It's crucial to cooperate with the adjuster and provide the requested information promptly.

Once the adjuster completes their assessment, they prepare a damage estimate report. This report outlines the cost of repairs or replacement and takes depreciation into account. The insurance company reviews the report, and if they deem it fair, they issue a payment for the claim based on the property owner's coverage limits.

Throughout this process, communication between the property owner and the insurance company is essential. Keeping the lines of communication open helps ensure a smoother process and resolves any issues that might arise regarding coverage or repair work.

When selecting apartment flood insurance in Huntsville, Alabama, it's essential to choose a policy that meets the specific needs of the property. Factors to consider include the location, materials used in construction, and proximity to bodies of water known for flooding. Taking these factors into account can lead to better protection for your property and a smoother claim process in the event of a flood.

Potential Challenges and Solutions for Alabama Flood Insurance

In Huntsville, Alabama, apartment building owners face various challenges related to flood insurance. One significant challenge is the lack of awareness of the importance of obtaining adequate flood insurance coverage. To address this issue, insurance companies and local government agencies can partner to launch information campaigns that highlight the risks, benefits, and costs of proper flood insurance.

Another common challenge is the high cost of flood insurance premiums. Property owners may find it difficult to afford the necessary coverage. Developing solutions to reduce the financial burden for apartment building owners can include offering comprehensive insurance packages at discounted rates or advocating for government-supported subsidies or grants specifically targeting flood insurance.

The geographical location of apartment buildings can also pose challenges. Some areas in Huntsville are prone to flooding due to their proximity to bodies of water or low-lying locations susceptible to flash floods.

Solutions for this issue may involve local infrastructure improvements, such as constructing flood barriers or improving stormwater drainage systems. This will not only protect the properties but also reduce the overall flood risk in these areas, subsequently lowering insurance premiums.

Navigating the flood insurance claim process can be an arduous task for apartment building owners. A streamlined claims process would be beneficial in resolving this issue, allowing for a more efficient experience. Insurance providers could focus on simplifying their claims procedures while offering support through dedicated claims adjusters who are knowledgeable in handling such specialized cases.

Addressing these potential challenges is crucial for ensuring that apartment building owners in Huntsville, Alabama, are adequately prepared to manage the risks associated with flooding. Providing adequate resources, offering financial incentives, and implementing infrastructure improvements will go a long way in overcoming these barriers and promoting a safer environment for both property owners and residents.

Conclusion

In Huntsville, Alabama, many apartment buildings are prone to flood damage due to the city's location and weather conditions. Flood insurance for apartment buildings can provide a safety net for property owners and tenants in the event of a flood.

It's essential for apartment building owners to assess their potential flood risks and acquire proper flood insurance coverage to protect their investments and residents. By doing so, they can mitigate the financial impact of potential flood damages, reducing stress for all parties involved. Additionally, property managers may want to consider recommending renter's insurance with flood coverage to their residents for added protection of individual belongings.

Apartment building flood insurance is highly beneficial in Huntsville, Alabama, as it provides peace of mind and security for both property owners and residents in the face of potential disasters.

If you need flood insurance in Alabama, don't hesitate to reach out to your insurance agent or follow the steps below to start building the best flood protection for your property.

1. Fill out the form here —
2. Connect with a flood insurance risk advisor.
3. Pick the best plan.

Better watch out and bring out your umbrella with you if you're in Alabama. This may get rough soon!

Alabama is expected to receive rain starting Thursday, February 3rd, and until Friday, February 4th. This is pretty normal if you'd think about it however there are some flooding concerns that may be seen during this time.

In today's blog, we want to talk about this weather event in Alabama and the flood concerns arising from it.

Heavy Rain Brings Higher Waters

Alabama is up in arms as weather forecasts expect heavy rainfall to drop on the state. This heavy rainfall is expected to be averaging 2 to 4 inches of rain and will persist from Thursday to Friday as reported by the National Weather Service (NWS). Flood watches are being sent out already since we are already expecting 3 to 6 inches of heavy rain getting dumped on Alabama just for the night of February 3rd. This means that flash flooding has an up to 10% chance of happening across the state.

This event is also expected to have some major storms as seen by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) which places the south and south-central parts of the state at a marginal risk for severe weather this Thursday.

Photo courtesy of NOAA

This puts cities Mobile, Montgomery, Greenville, and Tuscaloosa at a high chance of facing an isolated major storm in the next two days. These types of storms usually create the biggest concerns are damaging wind gusts, which could take down trees and knock out power, and tornadoes.

After Friday (February 4th), the rain will begin to move out however it doesn't really mean that everything ends there since there are chances of additional rain happening during the weekends because the cold air will be rushing behind.

Flood Concerns

One of the biggest concerns that we should be aware of is that this type of weather event will surely create big flood threats and increase the overall flood risk for the whole state in the next two days.

This ranges from what we call a pluvial flood, where collected water has nowhere else to go so it starts to pile up and inundate the area. This isn't really impossible considering that we still haven't moved out of the winter season. During this time, we expect the ground to be oversaturated which generally means that it won't be able to take in as much water as it should.

Another reason why flooding may occur from a life-threatening storm surge as water levels rise due to the precipitation. This is most likely to happen in coastal Alabama like Mobile City. Generally, this means that we might see a cocktail of floods as all three types may occur during this weather event: pluvial, fluvial, and coastal flooding.

Fluvial flooding is only different from pluvial because the source of the floods comes from a water source like a river, lake, pond, creek, and such. Generally, this type of flood has a very strong flow to it and most of the time can easily damage properties along its path.

Other than these flood concerns, when that rain starts to happen, it's most likely that roads and bridges are going to be slippier than ever. This is why we always remind people to not drive into standing water or flood, or even during a rain event like this if it's not really necessary. We don't want to be dark and grim, but most of the casualties and injuries that happen in times like this are located and involve roads.

Why Flood Insurance is Important

When it comes to floods, most people would say that they wouldn't want to leave their properties unattended because something might happen to them. This same thinking causes a lot of trouble for these property owners when water starts to inundate the property.

Flood insurance can really help you cover for this flood damage and flood loss that may occur during a time like this. More importantly, you get peace of mind that you will still have a home to go back to even after a flood.

You have two options when it comes to flood insurance in Alabama: the federal-backed National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and its new Risk Rating 2.0, and Private Flood Insurance. Let's talk about these two.

NFIP

The federal flood insurance is gearing towards a fingerprint of flood risk for properties that get a policy from them since rates will be based on the individual flood risk. Although this makes it more affordable for flood insurance coming from FEMA, this may still bring an increase to rates for some property owners.

This type of change makes them a big contender to take the spot when you ask people where best to get flood insurance however it's integral to point out that other than how you're going to be rated, some things never change with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood insurance.

When it comes to coverage, we're still talking about the same $250,000 maximum on dwelling or building coverage and $100,000 maximum when it comes to contents. 

Other than these, these are all that the federal government can offer when it comes to flood insurance even with the Risk Rating 2.0 update. Here's a quick breakdown of the NFIP 2.0 card compared to the current version we have at the time of writing:

Private Flood

Private flood insurance has made a big push in the last 15 years. There have been a lot of changes in the last 5 years that allow private flood insurance to be a great flood insurance option for many property owners. Let's look at exactly what private flood insurance is.

For many years the only option for many property owners was the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). There were many limitations with this program like wait periods, coverage amounts, and cost of the policy.

It's important to understand not all private flood insurance options are the same. There are admitted and non-admitted carriers in the private market. Each one of these types of policies has different requirements they follow.

The private flood insurance market still offers flood coverage that doesn't really have any maximum amount. You can definitely still get more than $250,000. Even when it comes to personal items or contents coverage, you can definitely go more than $100,000 for flood damage. That coverage also comes with the loss of use, additional living expenses, and/or replacement costs.

We've also seen a lot of homeowners coming to us for flood insurance and were able to get it in just a few days. The maximum waiting period for a flood policy from a private insurance company is only 14 days.

What This Means for the Future

Considering that both Risk Rating 2.0 and private flood insurance companies base flood insurance rates on flood risks, this type of weather event can really add up to the things that increase your risk of flooding. This can also be a hard-hitter when it comes to flood mitigation since more risks require more efforts to lessen the flood damage on your property.

If Alabama were to get dumped by heavy rainfall more frequently, this could mean that flood insurance rates will also skyrocket in most areas especially when such rain event causes huge flooding in the area.

We're starting the Month of Arts and Hearts with such a concerning scenario, so we hope that you stay safe during this time. If you really don't need to head out, please stay at home and follow your local government's guidelines on what to do when flooding starts to happen. The thing is flooding can happen anytime.

So if you've got questions on flood insurance in Alabama, what this rain event could mean for your flood risk score, or anything related to flood insurance, click below to access our Flood Learning Center.

If you want to speak to us about your flood concerns, click below to contact us:

Remember, we have an educational background on flood mitigation which lets us help you understand flood risks, flood insurance, and protecting your property long-term.

We're ending the 2021 season with a calm and somewhat peaceful closing. Or is it?

Today, we want to talk about a disturbing fact on our current climate and how La Niña causes more devastating natural disasters like inland flooding in Pelham and Hoover, Alabama.

Impacts of La Niña

Despite having only one named storm in the last quarter of this year, it doesn't mean everything will be calm. We're still seeing a lot of rainfall and persistent precipitations across the country. In most cases, these conditions are enough to cause enough flooding and damage to multiple areas.

Take note, this is without a tropical storm present and at the most extreme caused by monsoons. Why is this happening you might ask?

We can owe it to what's called the La Niña. La Niña is a "cold event" wherein trade winds are stronger than usual which pushes more warm water toward Asia. Being the exact opposite of El Niño which is commonly known as the "heat event" that leads to week-to-month long droughts in South America and California, La Niña is a mixed bag of weather conditions that are very unpredictable and usually exceed the expectations.

This generally causes some areas of the United States to be very dry while some get very wet. To give an example, 80% of Stanislaus County in California is experiencing very extreme to exceptional drought hence the "very dry" conditions.

Add this to the already dried-up ecosystem due to the wildfires, it's no question why the drought continues in the state. However, it's equally important to note that these types of events may just be scratching the surface when it comes to the dangers it presents to locals.

On the other hand, if we look at areas like Washington, a lot of atmospheric river impacts are being felt due to La Niña hence causing floods in the area up to the northwestern regions even in British Columbia. We've also seen how the shift from having warm surface water to a much colder one impacts the weather in areas like Northern California. The northern part of the state recently had to face devastating damages due to atmospheric rivers causing an extreme rain event in the area.

These are just a few of the examples we're seeing in the past few weeks however this doesn't mean that everything ends there. We can still expect more effects of the "small girl" as we end the year and go through the winter season.

What It Means for Alabama

As the winter season starts, we are expecting enough precipitation across the united states due to this cold event. This may range from your occasional rain to consistent heavy rains. We've seen this trend for the past two years now and we've covered it earlier this year. To give the gist of it, generally during the wintertime, Alabama gets too much water from the moist ground and rainfall amounts not being able to go anywhere but the homes of its residents.

Just this year, we've seen how impactful heavy rainfall can become in the state of Alabama. During the spring season, Birmingham and Central Alabama were hit with 7 inches of nonstop rain which immediately caused flooding in the area. The flooding however wasn't just due to rain alone, but also the melting snow and ice from other areas oversaturating the ground.

If we go back a few years back, in 2018 major Hurricane Alberto dumped 3.5 inches of rain which immediately escalated to 8 inches in Cloverdale. Three months after this event, during the fall season of September 2018, Brighton was the one that received the same amount of rainfall, and guess what, it caused flooding.

In December of 2019, we also saw Lauderdale get flooded after getting a significantly smaller amount of rain of 2.5 inches. This, unfortunately, took two lives in Alabama and Tennessee and flooded roads in the area. 

As we're gearing to face some thick inches of snowfall in the next two to three months in some states, we are also expecting an equally higher amount of precipitation for Alabama. It's important to remember that the main cause of the recent spring flooding in the state was the oversaturation of the soil.

Equally, we also want to consider the developments happening in Alabama due to the increase in population for Birmingham and Huntsville for example. This type of development can create a reason for water to go where it shouldn't be. Once the weather becomes colder and climate changes, there's also this immense pressure on residents when facing the inversely proportional lowering of temperatures and rising of flood threats.

As we've seen in previous years, Alabama gets unexpectedly huge flooding during this season even with the littlest amount of rainfall, and we can expect the same this year as well. Add this to the still-recovering soil from previous rain and flooding, it's no question whether or not flooding will happen.

Flooding is certain once all that precipitation starts coming.

How to Best Prepare

We always do our best to educate our customers when it comes to the impacts of weather, climate change, hurricanes, winds, and even the smallest rain on the behavior of floods. During this season, we want to help you prepare for possible cold waters inundating your home in Alabama.

You might say that you don't need to worry about it because it hasn't happened to you before, but this was the same mindset that people in Waverly, Tennesee had earlier this year.

Really one of the best ways to prepare is to have flood insurance since this already covers the concern of protecting your house: from the construction up to the contents inside. Sometimes even more if you're looking at the private flood insurance market. This way, you already eliminate those thoughts that you need to stay with your property to watch its condition when flooding happens.

Another step that's very crucial is making sure you are always updated on the weather condition for each and every day. Be it going to work or just staying at home, we encourage making sure that you watch over this at all times. Most times, homeowners and commuters will underestimate the power of rain and floodwater. 

In the yuletide season, we want you to only enjoy the holiday with your family and friends. This is difficult to do when you're worrying about floodwater coming in, so if you need help understanding how flood insurance work, where to buy flood insurance in Alabama, understanding your risk of flooding, or anything related to floods, click below to access our Flood Learning Center.

You can also click my picture below to call us and remember, we have an educational background in flood mitigation which lets us help you understand your flood risks, flood policy, and protecting your property long-term.

Maybe it's not nature that causes our issues with natural disasters. Sometimes we have a hand on it too.

For the last 15-20 years Alabama has been known as tornado alley. It's known for one of the deadliest tornado days in history during the April 2011 tornado outbreak. This super outbreak lasted for 3 days, 7 hours, and 18 minutes with the highest winds that went to more than 200 mph on Hackleburg and Phil Campbell, Alabama. The damages of this outbreak surpassed the $10 billion mark and unfortunately took more than 300 lives and 3000 injuries.

As you can imagine tornado awareness and preparation have been very crucial and is the flavor of the hurricane season so much that flood threats were sidelined, if not fully benched at the back of people's minds.

However, a question we have been getting a lot lately; what should we all be asking too, is flooding in Alabama increasing? If so, then why is it happening?

In this article, we're going to take a look at some recent flood events throughout the state and see why these events might have occurred. We are also going to look at some things that might be contributing to flooding in Alabama.

Alabama and Flood

In order to understand to answer these questions, we want to look at the recent data we got on flooding across the state from the last 3 years as these historic floods can really show the changes happening to flood in Alabama.

2018

May 2018, the United States was ravaged by Tropical Storm Alberto even before the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season. This disaster event caused both Alabama and Florida to be in constant flash flood warnings due to how strong Alberto was. Now, this was one of the biggest storms that the country faced, but for this article, we want to focus on its impacts on Alabama.

Alabama faced more than 3.5 inches of rainfall and in Cloverdale, this even went up to more than 8 inches. Ever since the storm started to cause heavy rainfall to the country, Alabama faced a lot of issues when it comes to floods. This caused a lot of flooding and winds that we've seen strong enough to have localized tree damages within the state. 

September 2018, Alabama faced another headache through Tropical Storm Gordon. Eight counties were in a state of emergency during this period. Brighton faced about 4 inches of rainfall and the state also saw a number of floodings during the storm event. Dauphin Island faced a storm surge of 3 to 5 feet causing minor flooding. Further inland, we've seen rainfalls going up to 8 inches which caused a lot of streets to seem like rivers, dirt roads being washed away, and flooding in several rivers.

October 2018, Hurricane Michael caused catastrophic $25 billion in damages across the country, but to Dothan, the strong winds and heavy rainfall were just the beginning. Farmers faced a lot of trouble on their livelihood as their expected great batch of cotton crops was turned to nothing. Orange Beach was also flooded due to the Hurricane.

2019

In July 2019, Hurricane Barry dumped more than 8 inches of rainfall in Fairhope city. Mobile County also saw most of its roadways underwater due to coastal flooding and torrential rainfall overwhelmed the sewer systems that it spilled over 80,000 gallons of floodwater into the streets.

In December 2019, Tennessee and Alabama faced huge flash flooding after a record rainfall where the former saw 2.5 inches of rainfall. This, unfortunately, took two lives, one for each state. Lauderdale saw its roads also submerged with this flood.

2020

February 2020, strong to severe storms was expected to go through the state. This caused power loss for about 5,000 people at the time, damage to Highway 43 and County Road 54, and sadly taking one life.

This storm also saw water coming over banks that evacuation efforts needed to be done in Crescent of Lakeshore Apartments in Homewood. The same apartment saw cars with only the top of it above water. The overflow in Shades Creek also saw Lakeshore Trail look like a river during the storm.

September 2020, Hurricane Sally dumped 30 inches of rain in Orange Beach, Alabama. This caused storm surge flooding to occur in Dauphin Island. We also saw flood damage in Spanish Fort where one gas station was completely destroyed after being inundated with water. This was also enough to have some sewer systems overflow contaminating Dog River and Rabbit Creek. Overall damages from this disaster were well over $300 million and took two lives in its wake with one missing.

For years Mobile and Baldwin counties have been known as the main flood areas. These are Alabama coastal areas that can receive flooding from tropical systems.

Simply put, these counties are ones that experience much stronger storms due to coastal storms they experience and deeper floods since one of the known coastal flood risks are facing that water level rise significantly due to heavy rains.

Are Floods Increasing?

Now, we've seen how progressively worse flooding has been changing throughout recent years. This is also the same when it comes to the cost of flooding when it comes to damages to properties. This immediately answers the question, but the more important is the follow-up: Why?

It's important to acknowledge that storms, weather patterns, extreme heat, and extreme rain events are results of climate change and we've already covered this in our previous blog. Today, we want to focus on a more unnoticed contributor to flooding across Alabama: development efforts.

The United States has been consistently becoming more urbanized, this means that most of the areas where there is natural vegetation, trees, and flora are being removed, graded, and then these efforts will simply build a drainage system that generally streams into natural bodies of water like lakes or in this case with Alabama, creeks, rivers, and coasts.

Generally, an untouched area where the flora or plants aren't interfered with can collect 90% of the rainfall as a resulting impact of storm systems. However, due to these types of developments, it can go down to only absorbing 10% of it.

In 2003, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) researched on this and found that heavily urbanized areas, including ones that are still being developed, saw a 100% increase in large floods and a 200% increase in smaller floods. The depth of flooding is also impacted as we are experiencing more overflows due to channels like drainage or sewer systems being overwhelmed by floodwater. This type of issue puts low-risk properties at risk of facing floods that they've never experienced before.

The research also found that floods in areas where developments cause sediments to somewhat clog water channels and as we've discussed before with Flood Zone AO and causes of flooding in low-risk flood zones, the water is being redirected to another area and mostly ones that are heavily populated.

The chance of flood is also directly impacted by these developments if we're not putting the right channels for water to naturally flow. Once this type of water, which should be scattering and being sipped by the soil, starts to rapidly flow into communities. What was before shallow flood events can easily become biblical flood events for those who are impacted.

This research shows future projections of what we can expect in the near future if we're not careful. This is why it's always important to understand flood maps and check with flood risk modelers to understand how a development project can cause problems for the natural flow of floodwaters.

If you have questions on flooding in Alabama, how to utilize your flood insurance policy to protect yourself, what are your flood insurance options, or anything about flood, reach out to us. Remember, we have an educational background in flood mitigation and we want to help you understand flood risks through education and awareness in flood insurance and preparedness.

We've already completed the first part of this big series on the upcoming changes to federal flood insurance. We have covered each state however that only gives a small idea of the changes coming. In this new series for Risk Rating 2.0, we want to cover the National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) changes to communities in each state.

Today, we will talk about Alabama and Huntsville City to dive deeper into understanding the upcoming changes to your flood insurance policy from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The NFIP

First, let's have a quick look back on the federal flood insurance scene which is specifically what's called the National Flood Insurance Program. Let's go through what the NFIP is and why the Risk Rating 2.0 is happening.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) flood insurance cover both damages to the building and contents. When we say building, this generally pertains to a residential property or a commercial structure that gets flood coverage that maxes out to $250,000 (up to $500,000 for commercial flood policies only). At the same time, you'll also find contents coverage of $100,000 or the personal property you have listed with the insured building. They have been providing billions of dollars in flood claims across the state.

FEMA and the NFIP also help in other ways as well since policyholders are eligible for their Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) and what's called the Community Rating System (CRS).

The ICC is an additional $30,000 flood coverage to give way for flood mitigation efforts for the insured property to avoid massive losses from a future flood event. The CRS on the other hand is a community-based rating system that measures the overall flood mitigation efforts made by the community in general; basically, this means that the higher your CRS score is, the bigger the discount. 

Now, it's important to remember that the NFIP was established by the federal government under FEMA in 1968. Some parts changed when it comes to how the program works however the last major changes and updates that the NFIP got were from 30 years ago. This is where the Risk Rating 2.0 comes in.

What is the Risk Rating 2.0

This is what FEMA calls equity in action when it comes to making the cost of flood insurance policies fairer per policyholder. This simply means that when it comes to flood insurance rates, a lot of things will start to change with the NFIP and FEMA. Generally, this is because property values for each individual property will be accounted for when finalizing your quote and flood insurance premiums with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

It's important to note, however, that this won't mean that the cheapest flood insurance will go automatically to lower-valued homes. It's equally important that we take into account, just like FEMA does and the private flood insurance industry, what's called flood risk variables which includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Designation in the flood zone maps.
• History of flood incidents, flood damage, and flood loss
• Flood claims made with the property
• Flood hazard, flood plain devolvement, and impact of flooding
• Risk of flood in the area, the chance of flooding, and flood frequency
• Mitigation efforts made on the property. Is the lowest floor above the base flood elevation? Are there enough flood openings to let flood waters through?

Now that we've covered the NFIP and the Risk Rating 2.0, let's talk about its impact on Madison County and its seat, Huntsville City. We'll cover the good, the bad, and the ugly changes coming to the residents of the city.

The Good

We want to cover the good things coming to Huntsville City first. We'll divide these good changes into two to specify the changes coming to flood insurance rates. This good change will bring an immediate decrease in the premium rates of those impacted. About 14.3% or 632 of the policies in the city will get impacted by this change.

The first half will impact about 9.1% or 403 policies will be getting a decrease that ranges from $0, which means there'll be no change at all, to $50 per month ($0 - $600 per year). The other half of this good change impacts 5.2% or 229 policies which will get a better deal since the decrease ranges from $50 to more than $100 per month ($600-$1200 per year). 

This decrease can help a lot of people who might not want to risk the private sector holding back on their services. Generally, since the private flood insurance companies aren't bound by the government's red tapes, they can easily move out of an area once the risk of flooding becomes too uncomfortable for them. 

The Bad

Now, let's move into the bad news and bad changes that the Risk Rating 2.0 will bring to residents of Huntsville in Alabama. A whopping 75.2% or 3,320 policies in force from FEMA will get an increase ranging from $0 to $10 per month ($0 - $120 per year). This is drastically smaller compared to other major cities we'll cover across this series.

You may want to prepare for these premium rate increases with this new Risk Rating considering how this portion of bad changes generally covers the bigger chunk of these changes.

This is why it's so important to understand these changes because you want to get the most out of your investment in flood policies when in proportion to the flood insurance coverage you'll get. Nobody would want to pay a higher amount, only to get covered for only $250,000 in a $500,000 home.

The Ugly

There are also ugly changes coming however this will only impact one policy in the city. It's important to note that these changes will be escalating as we move further in the range, meaning there's the ugly, the uglier, and the ugliest change impacting about 461 or about 10.4% of the policies that FEMA has in Huntsville.

First, we have to cover the ugly change. This will impact 6.8% or 298 policies that will get an increase of about $10 to $20 per month ($120 to $240 per year) on that flood insurance policy's price when it comes to premium rates from FEMA.

Now, there's still that uglier change which will be bringing an increase that ranges from $20 to $50 per month ($240 to $600 per year). This will impact 149 policies in the city (3.4%) once the Risk Rating 2.0 update kicks in these policyholders' flood insurance.

Lastly, there's the ugliest change which is mainly due to the drastic increase it will bring to policyholders covered under this umbrella. We're talking about an increase that ranges from $50 to more than $100 per month ($600 to $1200 per year on premium rates) and will affect about 0.3% or 14 policies in the city.

This type of change can really hurt anyone's financial stability especially when we're talking about those who already find it hard to keep up with their flood insurance premiums. This is why we also recommend either prepare for these changes way ahead of time or prepare for moving into a different flood insurance company from the private flood insurance market.

When Will It Happen?

Now, the date when you can adopt this program really depends if you're doing a renewal or if it's a new business policy. You see, you can expect these changes to start on October 1st and you're going to adapt to these rate changes if you're buying flood insurance from FEMA on or after that date. 

On the other hand, if you're doing a renewal with FEMA after that date then you don't have to take in these new rate changes until April 1st, 2022, or the date of your upcoming policy renewal.

If you have questions on these upcoming changes, what are your flood insurance options in Alabama, or anything about flood, reach out to us through the links below. You can also watch this on our YouTube channel.

Remember, we have an educational background in flood mitigation and we want to help you understand flood risks through education and awareness in flood insurance and preparedness.