Valuable Information for Disaster Victims
Insurance
File an insurance complaint with the Kansas Insurance Department
Kansas Insurance Department advises tornado victims to report damage to homes and business to their insurance agent as soon as possible. Is important to keep receipts of all expenses to document reimbursable costs to your insurance. Beware of fly-by-night contractors.
Flood Insurance
Flood insurance regulations may apply to your property - even if the damage is not due to a flood.
- Contact your local floodplain manager and building officials if your damaged home or business is located in the floodplain.
- Before you are given a permit to repair the damage to the structure, you may have to comply with local floodplain management ordinances.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) includes Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage for all new and renewed Standard Flood Insurance policies. This coverage gives four options to help you comply with your community's floodplain management ordinance:
- Elevation. This raises your home or business to above the flood elevation level adopted by your community.
- Relocation. This moves your home or business out of harm's way.
- Demolition. This tears down and removes damaged buildings.
- Floodproofing. This option is availalbe primarily for non-residential buildings. It involves making a building watertight through a combination of adjustments or additions of features to the building that reduces the potential for flood damage.
When to file an ICC claim:
- If your community determines that your home or business is damaged to the point that repairs will cost 50% or more of the building's pre-damaged market value - this is called substantial damage.
- If your community has a repetitive loss provision in its floodplain management ordinance determining that your home or business was damaged by a flood two times in the past 10 years, where the cost of repairing the flood damage, on the average, equaled or exceeded 25% of its market value at the time of each flood. This is called repetitive damage - and it requires that flood insurance claim payments be issued for each of the two flood losses.
What To Do After Flood Waters Damage Your Home
Check For Hazards When Returning Home
Going back into your home can be dangerous because flooding can cause structural, electrical and other hazards.Physical dangers are not necessarily over after the water goes down. Hazards are not always obvious. They can be potentially life-threatening if precautions are not taken.
Be mindful of the following safety tips when returning home after a flood, or severe storm:
Check Your Home Before You Go In.
- Carefully check outside your home for loose power lines, gas leaks, foundation cracks or other damage.
- See if porch roofs and overhangs still have all their supports. If you see damage, a building inspector or contractor should check the building before you enter.
- Turn off the electricity. Even if the power company has turned off electricity to the area, make certain your house's power supply is disconnected.
- If you suspect a gas leak or smell gas, leave your home immediately and call the gas company from a neighbor's house.
- Enter carefully. If the door sticks at the top, it could mean your ceiling is ready to fall. If you force the door open, wait outside the doorway in case debris falls.
- Check the ceiling for signs of sagging. Wind, rain, or deep flooding may wet plaster or wallboard. It is very heavy and dangerous if it falls.
- Make sure the electricity is off and hose down the house to remove health hazards left behind by floodwater mud. Shovel out as much mud as possible.
- Remove water quickly using a mop or squeegee.
