Ron Audette News Today

Many unaware flooding’s not covered by homeowner’s policies

Hurricane Ian caused extensive flooding in areas outside of the high-risk zones. According to the consulting firm Milliman, roughly 18.5% of homes in counties that were under an evacuation order had federally issued flood insurance. In areas under an evacuation order that were outside of high-risk zones, 9.4% of homes had a policy.

NORTH PORT, Fla. (AP) — Christine Barrett was inside her family’s North Port home during Hurricane Ian when one of her children started yelling that water was coming up from the shower. Then it started coming in from outside the house.

Christine Barrett and her family had to climb on top of their kitchen cabinets because of flooding that surged into their house during Hurricane Ian

NORTH PORT, Fla. (AP) — Christine Barrett was inside her familys North Port home during Hurricane Ian when one of her children started yelling that water was

NORTH PORT, Fla. (AP) — Christine Barrett was inside her familys North Port home during Hurricane Ian when one of her children started yelling that water was

Christine Barrett was inside her family’s North Port home during Hurricane Ian when one of her children started yelling that water was coming up from the...

The Insurance Information Institute says only about 4 percent of homeowners nationwide have flood insurance although 90 percent of catastrophes in the U.S. involve flooding.

There have long been concerns that not enough people have flood insurance especially at a time when climate change is making strong hurricanes even stronger and making storms in general wetter, slower and more prone to intensifying rapidly.

Hurricane Ian caused extensive flooding in areas outside of areas considered high-risk zones, and flooding is not covered by a homeowner's insurance policy. Flood insurance must be purchased separately — and only 18% of Floridians have it. In many now-flooded neighborhoods, residents who didn't purchase the optional insurance are wondering how they will be able to afford much-needed repairs to their homes.