Three Ways You Can Prevent a Flood From Harming Your Family and Your Home

If you're not worried about flooding, you should be. According to the National Flood Insurance Program, flooding can happen anywhere. In the past five years, all 50 states have had to deal with a flood.

Flooding is also incredibly dangerous and has a heavy economic impact, too. In fact, flash flooding causes more than 200 deaths every year, making it the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the United States. Not to mention the fact that -- on average -- the cost to repair flood damage is about $15,000.

If you want to protect your family and your home from flood damage, you need to take the right preventative steps. Here are just a few.

Elevate.

Elevation is the best way to guard against flood damage, which is why it's important to keep all appliances and utilities as elevated as possible. If you're in a highly dangerous flood area, you may want to also consider elevating your home to guard against flood damage, too.

Stop Floodwater.

You need to stop floodwater in your yard, and at the walls. Building levees or flood walls can prevent pressure and debris from impacting your home's walls, thus preventing floodwater from accruing in your yard. You can also seal your home to prevent floodwater from damaging your walls, though this technique is more appropriate for commercial properties.

Dry Flood-Proof.

You should also dry flood-proof your home, which essentially seals the building so that water can't enter and do any flood damage. You can do this by waterproofing your exterior walls, installing watertight shields over your properties entries and windows, anchoring your home, and installing a sump pump.

If your home is already flood damaged, you can take your flood or fire damage claims to a public adjuster, who will be able to help you work through any insurance issues or case-specific-questions you may have. If you have any other, more general questions (such as "what is a public adjuster?") feel free to ask in the comments.