Don’t Let Floods Ruin Your Life: Learn How FloodSafe SK Can Help

As residents of Saskatchewan, we know first-hand the devastating impact that floods can have on our communities. Floods can cause significant damage to our homes, businesses, and infrastructure. That’s why we want to share with you the incredible work being done by FloodSafe Saskatchewan to help us stay safe and prepared in the face of flooding.

FloodSafe Saskatchewan

FloodSafe Saskatchewan is a government-led initiative aimed at reducing the impact of flooding on our communities. It is a collaborative effort between the Saskatchewan Insurance Industry and other public stakeholders to increase public awareness about the province’s flooding risks.

The program provides various resources and information to help individuals and communities prepare and increase resilience against flooding in their homes and community. This includes information on flood risk assessments, emergency preparedness plans, and flood mitigation strategies. 

The importance of flood preparedness

Floods can happen anytime, anywhere, and to anyone. That’s why we all must take steps to prepare for the possibility of flooding. One of the most important things we can do to prepare for floods is to create an emergency plan. As overland water is now the leading cause of property damage and losses in Saskatchewan, having an emergency plan, knowing what to do during a flood, and how to protect our homes from flood damage are essential. For example, consider adding window wells for basement windows, storing precious items in rubber totes, and elevating electrical/HVAC systems off the ground.

FloodSafe Saskatchewan’s Role in flood management and prevention

In addition to helping us prepare for floods with helpful tools and advice, FloodSafe Saskatchewan also plays a critical role in flood management and prevention. The program works with municipalities to develop flood risk maps, which help identify areas most at risk of flooding. This information is used to inform land use planning and to develop flood mitigation strategies.

FloodSafe Saskatchewan also provides funding to support flood mitigation projects, such as constructing flood barriers and improving drainage systems. These projects help reduce the impact of flooding on our communities and infrastructure.

Flood insurance – what it covers and what it doesn’t

While flood insurance is essential for protecting our homes and possessions from flood damage, it’s important to understand what is and isn’t covered by flood insurance. Most standard homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover flood damage, so purchasing additional coverage on your tenant, condo, home, seasonal, farm, or rented dwelling policy is essential.

Insurers refer to ground flooding as overland flooding. If the water touches the ground before entering your home, it’s overland flooding. Generally speaking, Overland Water coverage protects you from damage caused by excessive rain, overflowing rivers, spring run-off, and melting snow. However, it’s important to note that not all types of flood damage are covered by insurance. For example, your insurance does not cover damage caused by saltwater water or groundwater seepage.

We encourage all Saskatchewan residents to visit the FloodSafe Saskatchewan website and learn more about how to prepare for floods. Together, we can work to reduce the impact of flooding on our communities and stay safe in the face of this natural disaster.

Want to learn more about Overland Water coverage for your insurance? Contact your broker to review your coverage, or start a free online quote today!

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