For more information about how to safely clean up your home, visit Public Health England . Since groundwater flood damage typically isn't covered by conventional homeowners insurance policies, you'll need to work with your insurer to determine the cause of the flood and the extent of your coverage. Sometimes the weather reporters don’t get the news soon enough. Advise your insurance representative of the state of your home and any repairs you intend to do … You can take all the necessary precautions, like set up your home security system to get severe weather notifications, but sometimes a flood takes you by surprise. But once you know where a home stands, chances are what you really want to know is what the flood insurance will cost you. What to do if You’re Caught in a Home Flood. Naturally, none of those residents had flood insurance as they were far beyond the 100 Year BFE. Besides carrying homeowner’s insurance to protect your wallet from flood damages, there are several things that you can do to help protect your home from flooding. If you're ready to do some plumbing at home, some of the most common hazards - especially in a situation where your work has flooded - is the presence of electrical connections in the region. Building in a Flood Zone. Install foundation vents or a sump pump. You'll also want to suspend any type of gas, just in case. Your local authority can advise you on how to dispose of used sandbags or flood damaged furniture and fittings. This can save your home by pumping the water out of your house and preventing the water level from becoming higher than a few inches. If you think your home could be at risk for flooding, get a sump pump. Not only can this damage the structural integrity of your home, but it can lead to costly repairs for your electrical system, HVAC, etc. Every little bit helps. The average rate is $700 per year, but those in more flood-prone areas could pay over $1,000. Of course, there are ways to flood proof your home against hurricanes and other natural disasters. 10. Not surprisingly, the cost in A and V zones is much more than in the lower risk areas. The best thing to do before anything else is to connect electricity in the region. While expensive to build retroactively, raising your house on stilts will raise your house's flood level. If your home is in a flood plain, you probably already know this because most mortgage lenders require flood insurance to be purchased on homes that lie within floodplains. Check out the Cost of Flood Proofing Your Home. Like we said, Mother Nature loves surprises. Bring in Patio Furniture. When cleaning your home after a flood always wear gloves, a face mask and sturdy footwear. Look, we get it. Failure to completely clean up your home after a house flood can lead to severe and costly damage that can affect the hidden corners of your home without you even realizing it. If a flood watch is issued, bring in patio furniture or secure it to your deck. Since even an inch of flood water can lead to significant damage, raising your home above the flood level will substantially protect your home. Raise your home on stilts or piers.