How WA property owners can get financial relief after the flood

More than 100,000 Washington residents have been advised to evacuate their homes in the wake of catastrophic flooding across the region. That’s about double the number of Washington homes and businesses that are covered by flood insurance, said Aaron VanTuyl from the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

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“ Flood damage, by and large, is not covered by your typical homeowners insurance policy,” he said.

Instead, property owners would need to have purchased a separate policy through the National Flood Insurance Program, run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or on the private market, before the flooding event.

“ I think there's the tendency for people to think if they get flooded, maybe it'll only be once, and so is insurance really that important?” VanTuyl said. “But we're seeing more and more bigger events, and so yeah, it is important. I feel terrible for people out there right now that don't have it, that need it.”

There are some opportunities for relief for residents not covered by flood insurance.

FEMA just declared Washington’s flooding a state of emergency. That unlocks funding for its Individuals and Households Program, VanTuyl said. Eligible property owners can now apply for funds to make essential repairs and cover a temporary place to stay.

VanTuyl also said the insurance commissioner’s office plans to send experts to local disaster recovery centers in areas affected by flooding. They will be available to walk property owners through their insurance policies and discuss options for getting financial relief.