Page 3 - Flooding in Lake County
Check for the Flood Hazard: Before you commit yourself to buying property, do the following:
- Ask the real estate agent if the property is in a floodplain, if it has ever been flooded, and if it is subject to any other hazards, such as sewer backup or subsidence.
- Ask the seller and the neighbors if the property is in a floodplain, how long have they lived there, if the property has ever flooded, and if it is subject to any other hazards.
- Ask the local building, zoning, or engineering department if the property is in a floodplain, if the property has ever flooded, what is the flood depth, velocity, and warning time, if it is subject to any other hazards, and what building or zoning regulations are in effect.
Flood Protection: A building can be protected from most flood hazards, sometimes at a relatively low cost. New buildings and additions can be elevated above flood levels. Existing buildings can be protected from shallow floodwaters by regrading, berms, or floodwalls. There are other retrofitting techniques that can protect a building from surface of subsurface water.
Flood Insurance: One of the best protection measures for a building with a flood problem is National Flood Insurance, which is purchased through any property insurance agent. If the building is located in a floodplain, flood insurance will be required by most mortgage lenders.
