Flood insurance workshop in Charlotte County

The rain Southwest Florida has seen this week is a good reminder to make sure you have flood insurance as we enter the heart of hurricane season. As you may know, where you live can determine what kind and how much insurance you need.

A lot of Charlotte County is in low-lying areas, so officials are hosting a Friday workshop for people in the community to ask questions about the new FEMA flood maps. They can also ask about changes to their risk ratings and how those could impact their property.

Damage from flooding can be expensive. To help protect you and your property, FEMA has flood maps to show which areas are at high risk for flooding. Recently, we have seen fast-moving flood waters cause a lot of destruction across the U.S. in places like Mississippi, Texas and Kentucky. It can happen anytime, which is why Brian Gleason, communications manager for Charlotte County, says it’s important to be aware and prepared for flooding.

“If you’re anywhere near water, if you’re in an area that is prone to flooding, if you have belongings in your home or things that are irreplaceable, you should have flood insurance, it’s not very expensive,” Gleason said. “I know everybody has a million things on their budgets; flood insurance should be one of them.”

The new FEMA risk maps have changed criteria and put in new guidelines for property insurance in Charlotte County. If you were not in a flood zone before, you could actually be in one now, or vice versa, and that could impact your flood insurance rates.

“If you live in Florida, you should be aware of how stormwater or storm surge might affect your property,” Gleason said. “And be ready and prepared to have the proper protection for yourself and your family and your bank account. And make sure you have flood insurance if it’s required, or even if it’s optional. It’s always a good idea that, if you can afford it, to have it, and, like I said before, if you have a mortgage, you have it.”

Gleason hopes the flood insurance workshop being held from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Mid County Regional Library, located at 2050 Forrest Nelson Blvd., will give people some peace of mind.

The new flood maps will go into effect on Dec. 15.