As June 1, the first day of hurricane season approaches, Department of Homeland Security Under Secretary and head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Michael D. Brown said more business owners need to know how to prepare their businesses for flooding.

Experts are predicting another active hurricane season for 2005. If those forecasts are correct, the 2005 season could be comparable to last year’s storm-filled season — the costliest hurricane season on record. Because there is a 30-day waiting period before new flood insurance policies become active, Brown urged business owners to take steps now to protect their property against tropical storm flooding. Adequate insurance is one of the best ways, he said.

“If a business has to close its doors for only a few days, the results can be devastating,” Brown said. “Many businesses remain uninsured against flood damage.”

During the 2004 hurricane season the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) paid non-residential flood insurance holders nearly $200 million to recover from damage caused by the storms. The following states topped the list for non-residential insurance claim reimbursements: Florida $57,281,657, Pennsylvania $57,047,177, Alabama $20,819,168, West Virginia $15,740,753 and North Carolina $15,202,052.

“Although Charley, Frances, Gaston, Ivan and Jeanne battered Florida and the Eastern Seaboard, business owners don’t have to be located on the coast to experience devastating flooding resulting from Hurricane and tropical storms,” said David Maurstad, Acting Federal Flood Insurance Administrator and Acting Director of FEMA’s Mitigation. “During last year’s hurricane season, Pennsylvania, with no ocean coastline, ranked second in non-residential flood insurance claim payments.”

The NFIP offers the following suggestions to make your business FloodSmart before the next storm hits:

• There is a 30-day waiting period to get flood insurance. Learn your risk and act now.
• Call your agent to make sure that your flood insurance policy is up to date.
• Inventory and photograph the property in your office.
• Store important documents in a safe, elevated, and waterproof space.
• Plan for a secondary location in advance so you can stay in business without shutting your doors.
• Create an emergency communications plan so all employees are accounted for and know what to do.
• Learn more about your flooding risk and how to protect yourself at www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-800-427-2419.