By 2050, coastal communities are expected to be exposed to flooding risks tenfold. These flooding risks are due to the green-house effect of gas emissions. These emissions have lead to climate change and global warming over the last few decades.
If this greenhouse effect goes unchecked for the next decade, families, businesses, and government properties could suffer more than billions of dollars in damages. Thus, your clients must know and understand these risks.
What are the Causes of Coastal Flooding?
There are numerous reasons why coastal properties nowadays experience more flooding than before.
First, extreme high tides are the common reason for flooding. Remember that the coastal area where your client’s house is located is connected to a larger body of water, the Atlantic Ocean. When ice melts in this area, the water seeps into those surrounding territories.
Second, torrential and nonstop rains could also increase the water level near coastal communities. These rains are often coming from the Atlantic, and since the clouds have more water than usual this time of year, the water level could rise significantly.
This is a neverending cycle. If climate change and global warming are included in the equation, it will create devastating effects.
Coastal communities have experienced storm surges and storms with abnormal precipitation. Even those homes located several miles from coastal areas are now experiencing flooding.
What are the Risks of Increased Coastal Flooding?
Health Risks
Flooding can cause death, injuries, trauma, and stress. Often, death is due to drowning that could be the result of unpreparedness.
Falling debris, slipping, and collapsing buildings could be the cause of fatalities or injuries. During coastal flooding, health risks could be higher due to uncertainties.
Contamination could also pose health hazards, especially to water systems. Flood water can seep into pipes and houses.
A power outage could also be a significant concern. When power is down, your client can’t use appliances. They can’t make themselves warm, which could lead to complications for injured persons.
Those who aren’t used to coastal flooding could experience a lot of stress, physically and mentally.
Property Risks
Aside from health, property damages are the most common results of flooding. Water that enters houses can cause molds and mildews, which can attack your client’s house, especially the foundation and walls.
Remember, water is a reckoning force, and it’s a universal solvent. It could damage a sturdy building or eradicate infrastructures in one sweep.
How Can Your Client Protect Themselves and Properties?
Your client can protect themselves and their properties in several ways.
Prepare for Coastal Flooding
Your client should expect coastal flooding to happen any time of the year. Whether it’s winter or summer, coastal areas are prone to flooding.
So, your client should always have an emergency kit ready. This emergency kit should include supplies that don’t spoil quickly, flashlights, an emergency power source, and a first aid kit.
Get Insurance
Coastal Property Insurance is a big help to your client in times of emergencies. They could get full coverage for their residential and commercial properties.
After the flood, your client can rebuild and repair their properties without worrying about the cost. They could reimburse a large percentage of the rebuild cost if they are covered with property insurance.
However, your client should understand that some incidents aren’t covered in the policies. Still, they could avail of other insurance coverage that could protect themselves and properties from unprecedented events.
Listen to Updates
Your client must do due diligence. They should listen to updates about approaching coastal storms and storm surges. If the local government asks the residents to evacuate, your client must do so.
Your client should respect the warning from the county officers. Even with insurance coverage intact, they have to follow standard protocols as ordered by the mayor or any equivalent position.
Educate them that insurance might protect them financially. However, deliberate negligence could be a ground for disapproval of insurance benefits.
Insurance is an excellent investment, but it is not absolute protection. Your client still has to make sure they did the best to prevent fatalities or damage to the properties. Also, they should know how to properly document damages for insurance claims.
About Snyder Specialty
Snyder Specialty, LLC is a New York-based underwriting facility that provides a range of property and liability solutions for personal and commercial lines. Specializing in coastal properties and hard-to-place risks, Snyder Specialty expands your current capabilities with proven solutions for complex risks. Find out more about the company’s range of services by calling (718) 362-8039.
