During Hurricane Harvey, many homes in high risk areas around Rockport, Port Aransas, and Aransas Pass had flood damage. That’s led to an increase in new flood insurance policies.
“Probably at least a 30 percent increase, it’s been high,” said Christina Hynes, an insurance agent in Rockport.
According to Hynes, flood insurance is something everyone should have in a high risk area, especially if they had flood damage from Harvey.
“If they sought out any assistance, whether it be from SBA or from the government directly through FEMA, they really need to seek out insurance for their property,” said Hynes.
For many of those people, flood insurance is now mandatory.
“Under FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program, people in high risk areas who got help from either FEMA or the SBA now have to have flood insurance in order to be eligible if there’s another storm.
Most mortgages also require homes in high risk areas to have flood insurance.
According to Hynes, $100,000 of coverage in a high risk area can cost as much as $6,000 a year, depending on elevation.
“If your house is on a good elevation, you can be in a bad zone and still pay maybe $600 a year,” said Hynes.”
FEMA recently updated the flood risk level for many areas in the Coastal Bend. Click here to find out the risk level where you live on FEMA’s interactive map. Just enter your address in the search area and download the report for your zone. You can also click here for a list of FEMA flood zone definitions.
