Is my home at risk for flooding?

What items might be damaged by three inches of flood water?

How costly will a foot of flooding be?

Where can I find an insurance agent to discuss flood insurance?

Answers to these questions and more can be found at www.floodsmart.gov, the official Web site of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The site is administered by The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's (USDHS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA ) and it has resources for home and business owners and renters.

On the site you can:

- Type your address into a form and find out how susceptible your home or business is to flood
- Find local flood insurance agents
- Estimate the cost to repair damages caused by different depths of flood water
- Estimate your flood insurance premiums.

"FEMA encourages all citizens to visit the Web site, a valuable resource on flood insurance," said FEMA Transitional Recovery Office Director Scott Wells. "The information which is available there will help people protect themselves and their families by reducing financial losses from flood damages."

Floods are the most common type of natural disaster. For homes in floodplains, there is a nine percent chance of fire-related losses in the life of a 30-year mortgage, but an astounding 26 percent chance of flood-related losses. Approximately one quarter of all flood insurance claims paid by the NFIP are in low- to moderate-risk communities. Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Although flood insurance may not cover all flood-related losses, it is the best way to protect your home and belongings from flood losses.

The best time to buy flood insurance is now, before the next flooding situation begins. There is a 30-day waiting period from the date of purchase, so it's important for individuals to go online and get the facts about flood insurance today.