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Living With Dams: Know the Risks

Dams are an essential part of a community’s infrastructure, they exist in every U.S. state. Dams provide drinking water, power, flood control, recreation and many other benefits to local economies. But if they fail, dams can pose significant flood risks to people and properties downstream, but many people are unaware.

Illustrated dam in mountainous region

Local agents and community leaders are encouraged to use these resources to help their community understand their flood risk when living near a dam and how flood insurance can keep residents financially protected.

Talking points

Use these key facts when talking about flood insurance to your clients:

  1. Many communities in the United States are in the vicinity of at least one dam, and (as of 2010) there are more than 84,000 dams across the country.

  2. Properties located downstream from dams are at an increased risk of flooding.

  3. Dam failure floods are almost always more sudden and violent than normal stream, river or coastal floods.

  4. Most homeowner, renter, and business insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

  5. Federal disaster assistance is only available if the President declares a disaster, most flood events do not get a presidential disaster declaration.

  6. If your client received federal disaster assistance from a flood, they may be required to obtain and maintain flood insurance. 

  7. Additionally, second homes are not eligible for disaster assistance, flood insurance is the best way to protect this investment.

  8. Continue the conversation with your clients using our talking points.

Stay up to date on flood insurance.

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