The Minnesota Department of Commerce is informing Wright County residents that they may want to look into purchasing flood insurance due to risks of flooding during the spring runoff season and may want to act soon because of policy requirements.

The National Weather Service’s Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service has forecasted Wright County to be a high risk for significant flooding. The Minnesota Department of Commerce (MDC) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are reaching out to at-risk communities in Minnesota to encourage residents to look into the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). In addition, both MDC and FEMA are trying to dismiss several misconceptions about who is eligible for flood insurance, who needs it and the costs associated with it.

One misconception is that if a property is outside of a high-risk flood area, there is no need for coverage. However, over the last 25 years, 40 percent of flood damage claims have come from outside the high-risk zones.

Another misconception is that those outside the high-risk flood zone can’t purchase flood insurance. The reality is that if someone lives in a community that has opted into NFIP, anyone in that community can purchase a policy, regardless of location. Most communities with a history of flooding or in the proximity of rivers and lakes take part NFIP.

A third misconception is that a property owner can purchase flood insurance after a flood event. That is incorrect. There is a 30-day waiting period from when the insurance is purchased to when coverage begins. An NFIP policy that takes effect after a flood event will not be covered.

Another misconception is that, if your area floods, federal disaster relief will cover the damage. That fact is that the only time disaster relief is available is when there is a Presidential Disaster Declaration, which doesn’t happen in the majority of flood events. Federal disaster assistance is a kick-start for recovery and pays out about one-fourth of what a flood insurance policy will pay.

The NFIP National Information Line can answer questions for those thinking about buying flood insurance by calling 1-800-427-4661. The Minnesota Commerce Department has a page on its website with numerous tabs that cover almost all questions people may have about purchasing flood insurance. To link to that page, click here: https://mn.gov/commerce/consumers/your-home/protect/other/floods/basics.jsp