Waukesha County Home

(BPT) — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's forecast of a significant El Niño event will likely continue through winter. While this might provide some relief from the four-year drought affect- ing much of the West, it may also mean severe rains, winds, flooding and mud- flows. El Niño is characterized by abnormally warm ocean temperatures around the equator in the Pacific Ocean. This seemingly small change dramatically influences weather patterns around the world. Typically, El Niño weath- er trends translate to an increase in rainfall for the southern United States and drier, warmer weather for the northern states. It also often leads to a weaker hur- ricane season for Gulf and East Coast states, but for West Coast residents the increased rainfall can increase the potential for water damage and flooding. "Water damage is a huge concern, one that can impact the structural integrity of houses and wreak havoc on personal property. It's also one of the most common claims filed by homeowners," said Stephanie Behnke, claims innovation director at Mer- cury Insurance. The last strong El Niño occurred in the winter of 1997-1998 and led to a series of storms that resulted in severe flooding in Califor- nia, causing an estimated $550 million in damage, according to NOAA. Rain- fall during this period near- ly doubled the annual aver- age. Mercury reports home- owner claims during the winter of 1997-1998 increased by 39 percent and repair costs doubled. "Homeowners should reg- ularly review their policies to ensure that their needs are met and to familiarize themselves with what types of damages will be cov- ered," Behnke said. "Some things are just out of our control — you can't control the weather, but it's in your power to make sure that your home is safe for your family and pets." Homeowner's insurance does not generally cover flood and mudslide damage, so Behnke suggested home- owners do some research to find out if their house is in a flood plain. If so, they should consider purchasing national flood insurance. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a mudslide is defined as earth and rock that travels downhill where- as a mudflow is a liquid stream of mud. Flood insur- ance covers both flood and mudflow damage, but only covers mudslide damage if defined exactly as the Stan- dard Flood Insurance Policy defines Mudflow. Visit www.floodsmart.gov for more information. Here are a few things you can do to help minimize water and wind damage to your home and property: Before ■ Hire an inspector to evaluate your home. Home- owner's insurance will not cover damages that are a result of pre-existing condi- tions and negligence, so cover your bases and address these issues before they lead to bigger prob- lems. ■ Check for cracks or chips in windows and inspect their seals, too. Door seals should also be inspect- ed. Strong winds can easily shatter glass, inviting debris and water into your home. Weak seals and small leaks can create bigger issues if the water gets into the walls. ■ Evaluate your roof. The roof of your home is an important barrier that pro- tects your property from wind and rain. Loose shin- gling and weak spots can lead to widespread roof damage, roof collapse or complete exposure of the interior of your home to Mother Nature. Address any leaks immediately. ■ Have the foundation inspected for cracks and leaks. ■ Remove trees and branches that are dead or dying from your yard to minimize the chances of damage to your home from fallen trees or snapped limbs. Remove branches and limbs in close proximi- ty to your home. It may be smart to trim or relocate trees that are too close to your home. ■ Keep an up-to-date inventory of your personal property in the event you need to make a claim. ■ Speak with your insur- ance agent to review and understand the ins and outs of your homeowner's insur- ance policy to ensure there are no surprises down the road. ■ Determine whether or not your home is located in a flood plain, and consider purchasing federal flood insurance if it is. ■ Avoid driving on roads that pass through flood plains and parking in areas where flooding is a hazard when possible. After ■ Contact your insurance carrier or agent immediate- ly and file a homeowner's claim. ■ If your property has sustained damage from a flood or mudflow and you have flood insurance, file a separate claim under your federal flood insurance. ■ Remember to evaluate and document all damages in the event that rain or wind causes destruction on your property to help the claim process move forward smoothly. ■ If your home is unsafe, take your family and pets out of the house. Your homeowner's insurance may provide for alternative housing costs if you need to evacuate your home. Save yourself the headache and hassle and make necessary repairs before inclement weather hits. These simple steps can reduce repair costs and may pay off big time in the long run. JANUARY 2016 HOMES PLUS 5 Water damage among top concerns SPECIALIZED FLOORING Call now (262) 527-7420 ask for Larry We take pride in our workmanship and service Specializing in seamless kitchen flooring up to 13 feet 6 inches wide Free – counseling on Quality Free – measuring and Layout Free – estimate on all material & installation We come to you! Large samples to select from right in your home. 248092001 Ways to act now to protect your home from El Niño BPT Before severe weather hits, it's best to have your home insurance policy reviewed and up to date.

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