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Protect Yourself Post-Hurricane Milton: Access FEMA Relief if You Don’t Have Flood Insurance FEMA Assistance for Homeowners Without Flood Insurance

Oct 17, 2024

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Hurricanes Milton and Helene have caused widespread damage, and as recovery efforts continue, it’s important to know what options are available—especially if you don’t have flood insurance. At Brightway, we want to ensure you’re informed and supported during this challenging time.

If your home was affected by flooding and you don’t have flood insurance, you may qualify for financial relief through FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program. FEMA provides aid to homeowners in federally declared disaster areas to help cover the cost of repairs, temporary housing, and other essential needs that aren’t covered by insurance.

Key aspects of FEMA assistance include:

  • Housing Assistance: Funds to help with repairs or temporary housing if your home is uninhabitable.

  • Protect Yourself Post-Hurricane Milton: Access FEMA Relief if You Don’t Have Flood Insurance FEMA Assistance for Homeowners Without Flood Insurance

  • Disaster-related Expenses: Aid for necessary expenses like medical or dental costs, childcare, and moving/storage fees.

  • Repair and Replacement Grants: Financial assistance for rebuilding or replacing essential property items, such as appliances and furniture.

To see if you qualify and to apply for FEMA assistance, visit the official site here: FEMA Individual Assistance 2024.

For a streamlined application process, you can also apply through the Disaster Assistance portal here: Disaster Assistance Application.

Filing a Flood Insurance Claim

If you have flood insurance, now is the time to file a claim for any flood-related damage caused by Hurricane Milton or Hurricane Helene. To ensure a quick and smooth process, you can:

  • Use your insurance carrier’s mobile app to file a flood claim directly. Many carriers offer easy-to-use apps that allow you to upload photos, documents, and other important information.

  • Alternatively, find your carrier's contact information on our website and reach out directly to start your claim.

https://www.brightway.com/insurance/insurance-companies

The Importance of Flood Insurance Going Forward

Hurricanes and severe weather events are becoming more common, and even areas that aren’t typically prone to flooding are now at risk. Past storms such as Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Hurricane Ian in Florida, and Hurricane Beryl across the eastern U.S. have demonstrated that flooding can happen anywhere, regardless of whether your property is officially designated as being in a flood zone.

This brings to mind a key point from a recent internal Brightway forum on the significance of flood insurance, where one of our agents, Chris Huebener, noted:

“Flood maps are made by man. Water is water, and it will go where it wants to go—when it wants to get there.”

Flooding doesn’t obey boundaries, and changing weather patterns are increasing the frequency and severity of these events, even in areas that previously saw little to no flooding. If you’re in a flood-prone region but do not currently have flood insurance, this is an important time to reconsider. A flood insurance policy can provide vital protection that your homeowners insurance doesn’t cover.

If you're interested in adding flood insurance, your local Brightway agent can help find the right coverage options for your needs.

https://www.brightway.com/find-an-agent