SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Do you have flood insurance?
The National Weather Service has predicted above-average ground moisture and higher-than-normal river levels for spring 2020, which are both ingredients for flooding.
Thus, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and Illinois Department of Insurance have rolled out the “Resolve to Be Ready” campaign as the calendar changes to 2020.
“Especially for those communities who are involved in the National Flood Insurance Program,” said IDNR Spokesperson Rachel Torbert.
“There are opportunities for flood insurance through the federal government and is affordable because it can certainly help, if you do experience flooding, to get you back on your feet quickly, and especially if you’re a business, to make sure you can open those doors again.”
The NFIP is a FEMA program that enables homeowners, business owners, and renters in communities that participate in the program to buy federally-backed flood insurance.
Around 90% of Illinois communities are enrolled in the NFIP, but Torbert said it’s better to be safe than to be sorry.
“We just want folks to keep that top of mind and to make sure they’re prepared,” she said.
River flooding in 2019 affected 33 Illinois counties, or approximately 2.1 million people.
Fulton and Knox were among the counties that, in 2019, were a part of a major disaster declaration from severe flooding.
A full list of communities enrolled in NFIP may be found here.
