Environment, Public Safety, Rockville Reports

April is Flood Awareness Month

Anywhere it can rain, it can flood. With the rainy spring season ahead, it’s important to know the risk and be prepared to reduce the impact of potential flooding.

Here are some tips you can follow to be prepared:

• Reduce your risk. Prepare now to protect your family, home and belongings from flooding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency offers several publications to help you manage flooding risks. Find a few at mailchi.mp/rockvillemd/storm-flood-damage-survey-summer. Find more resources at www.fema.gov/flood-maps/know-your-risk/homeowners.
• Insure your property. Flood damage isn’t covered by standard homeowners insurance policies, and is expensive. An inch of floodwater can cause more than $25,000 in damage. Talk to your insurance agent about flood insurance or visit floodsmart.gov.
• Report storm flood damage. Rockville residents or property owners who have experienced flood damage associated with severe weather can help us understand the impact of intense storms on our community. Take the Storm Flood Damage Survey and find additional resources at www.rockvillemd.gov/flooding.
• Take advantage of the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program. Rockville offers matching reimbursement funds to residents and property owners who make flood protection improvements to their properties.

Find “Slow It. Spread It. Sink It!: A Homeowner’s Guide to Sustainable Home Drainage” at www.rockvillemd.gov/drainageguide.