Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
MADISON — The Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance is urging residents to evaluate their flood insurance coverage now as the National Weather Service predicts temperatures across Wisconsin will rise later this week.
With rising temperatures comes the possibility of snowmelt-related flooding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency noted late last month that Wisconsin’s flood risk is above normal to well-above normal throughout March and April.
“I think it’s fair to say that most Wisconsinites are ready for winter to be over,” said Insurance Commissioner Mark Afable. “But while we’re waiting for temperatures to rise, home and business owners should review their insurance policies to make sure they have appropriate coverage.
“If you purchase flood insurance, the policy does not go into effect for 30 days,” said Afable. “Consider flood insurance now as an important protection against this type of peril.”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is closely monitoring the Fox River, the Wolf River and the Menominee River for ice jams and flooding, while the National Weather Service in La Crosse is warning residents along the Mississippi River and its tributaries of an above-normal flood risk through May due to runoff from snowpack and deeply frozen ground.
Locally, Iron County Emergency Management Director Stacy Ofstad said he’s praying for a slow melt.
“With the amount of snow we’ve had and no warm weather in the last month and a half, there are some concerns,” he said, adding, “There’s 4 or 5 feet of snow out there in places.”
Ofstad said the Corps of Engineers and National Weather Service have been in the county making measurements.
Compounding the potential problems of all the snow melting, Ofstad said the water table is still high from the fall after three flood occurrences last June, August and September. “The water table is extremely high and so when the snow melts, there’s going to be run-off.”
River ice jams occur when ice breaks up quickly in thawing temperatures and large, flowing ice chunks collect and create a dam, triggering area floods. Not only will mountains of snow across the state melt into inches of water, saturated soil in many areas from late summer/early fall flooding leaves nowhere for that water to go. Public works departments are asking residents to help by clearing snow and ice from storm drains and grates.
There’s much more for residents to do, according to a press release from Afable’s office.
“Homeowners should remove snow from the roof using a roof rake or push broom, make sure vents around the home are not covered by snow, and check that their sump pump is working properly,” the release said. “Clearing snow piles away from the home or building can also help prevent water seepage through the foundation.”
Most homeowner’s policies do not cover flooding or seepage through the foundation, according to the release. “A separate flood insurance policy sold through the National Flood Insurance Program and managed by FEMA is necessary for this coverage.”
Visit floodsmart.gov to learn more about flood insurance.
“Damage from sewer backup or sump pump overflow is not covered by standard homeowner’s insurance or flood insurance. The purchase of a special homeowner’s policy endorsement is required for this type of coverage,” said the release. “Contact your insurance agent to find out more about special endorsements and riders for expanded coverage.”
The release also included these facts about flooding:
—Floods are the nation’s most common natural disaster.
—Just one inch of water can cause $25,000 of damage to your home.
—More than 20 percent of flood insurance claims come from outside high-risk areas.
—Generally, water coming from the top down, such as burst fire sprinklers and ice dam seepage behind drywall, is covered by standard homeowner’s policies. Water coming from the bottom up, such as foundation seepage from snowmelts, is not.
—Larry Holcombe
