Cincinnati flooding: So, your house flooded. Here's what to do next.
Cameron Knight
With the Ohio River beginning to recede, Cincinnati area residents will now face the challenge of cleaning up. Here's some advice on navigating the National Flood Insurance Program.
For those with flood insurance, that means calling your insurance agent and filing a claim with the Federal Emergency Managment Agency. FEMA has in-depth instructions online guiding people through the flood claim process.
Ron Eveleigh, executive vice president of the Greater Cincinnati Insurance Board, said most communities in the region are eligible for flood insurance, but for residents who don't already have it, it is too late.
Most standard home insurance policies do not cover flooding. Some may cover water damage due to backed up sewers, but only if a homeowner has signed up and paid for that coverage, Eveleigh said.
For those with flood insurance, FEMA emphasizes that cleaning up the property should be a homeowner's first concern once it is safe to return to the property.
"It is the responsibility of...policyholders to minimize the growth and spread of mold as much as possible," FEMA documents state. "Insurance policies will not cover mold damage if a policyholder fails to take action to prevent the growth and spread of mold."
Start cleaning as soon as possible
FEMA recommends taking photos and videos of any damage and retaining samples of carpet, wallpaper, upholstery and curtains.
FEMA also recommends:
- Immediately throw away flooded content items that pose a health risk, such as perishable food items, clothing, cushions, pillows, etc. after photographing them.
- Confirm your available NFIP coverage. Some policyholders may only have building or contents (personal property items) coverage; not both.
- Contact cleaning services and repair services if the building’s electrical, water, or HVAC systems are damaged, but consult your adjuster or insurance carrier before you sign anything.
“Start cleaning as soon as possible,” Eveleigh said. "In my opinion, you wouldn’t have to wait for claims adjuster.”
He also said that personal property in basements or otherwise stored below the first level of a home will not be covered by standard flood insurance, only certain sewer backup policies cover those items. He said only parts of "the system of the house" like water heaters and heating and air conditioning appliances are covered.
"I feel that everyone should have flood insurance," Eveleigh said. "A large misconception is that if you're on high ground that you don't need it."
He said torrential rains can flood properties anywhere.
Beware of storm-chasing scammers
Any large-scale weather event can bring with it a potential for scams.
Tim Maniscalo, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau, said contractors who often try to capitalize on weather disasters such as flooding, hail and wind storms.
“The thing we see the most in these situations are the ‘storm chasers,’” Maniscalo said of consumer complaints. “They are not from the area. They may not be insured or bonded. A lot of times, they won’t have any markings on their vehicles. And often, they will want money upfront.”
Maniscalo said an unsolicited knock on your front door is often the biggest warning sign.
The Better Business Bureau houses a huge database of rated businesses in the Cincinnati area:
The Ohio Attorney General Office also recommends getting multiple estimates for work and being wary of making any large payments upfront. Paying with a credit card can also offer greater protection, officials said.
Indystar reporter Tim Evans contributed to this report.