Hurricane Season Is Upon Us

June 1st marks the beginning of Hurricane Season, and it's just around the corner. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Mississippi Emergency Management Agency encourage Mississippians to consider protecting their homes, businesses and valuables with a flood insurance policy.

Sooner is better than later, because there is a 30-day waiting period once the policy is written, and if you wait until a tropical storm breaches the Gulf of Mexico, insurance companies will not write new policies.

If you are unsure if your property is located in a flood zone, you can go to FEMA's Map Service Center www.msc.fema.gov and view the latest flood map for your community. Just type in your street address, and the correct map will be displayed.

Those who are not in a certified flood zone really should still consider having the additional flood coverage in their insurance portfolio. The policy is a lot cheaper if you are not in a flood zone, and it's extra peace of mind that if your home is damaged by water, you can be covered.

To purchase flood insurance, residents should contact their insurance agents. To locate an agent who sells flood insurance in your area, go to www.floodsmart.gov and enter your home address into the One-Step Flood Risk Profile. This online tool will also estimate your level of risk as well as your premium.