Property Flood Protection

How can I protect my buildings and property from flooding?

Rather than wait for a flood to occur, you can act now to protect your property from flood damage. Even if you've never flooded before, in the life of a 30-year mortgage, there is a 26% chance of experiencing a flood if a property is located in the floodplain. Various retrofitting techniques are available to help minimize flooding such as elevating the building, constructing barriers out of fill or concrete, and flood proofing to make the building watertight.

You can also download the following materials from the FEMA website:

Drainage System Maintenance

Please do not dump any type of debris into a stream or drainage ditch. Debris can become entangled in culverts and streambeds, and impede drainage causing the flow of water to back up. Citizens should do their part to keep ditches free of debris, and not to allow grass clippings, oil, and other contaminants from getting into local drainage infrastructure. Please report debris in ditches and streams by submitting a report.

Information on Individual Property Flood Risks

Click here or on the image below to learn about your property’s flood risk, both now and in the future. This system offers the most comprehensive view of flood risk in the United States. Flood Factor is an initiative of the First Street Foundation.

Flood Insurance

What do I need to know about flood insurance?

Basic homeowners insurance policies do not cover damage from floods. The Town of Evans participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, which means that federally-subsidized flood insurance is available to everyone in the Town. The purchase of flood insurance is highly recommended if your building or property is in a flood zone.

Some people have purchased flood insurance because it was required by the bank or loan company when they obtained a mortgage or home improvement loan. Usually these policies just cover the building's structure and not the contents. Policies are available to cover contents also. Remember that a flood insurance policy must be renewed every year.

Should I rely on Disaster Assistance or Flood Insurance?

The best plan is to prepare for a disaster rather than recover from one. This makes flood insurance a helpful option, rather than relying exclusively on federal disaster assistance. It is important to know all the facts ahead of time. Check out What You Need to Know about Federal Disaster Assistance and National Flood Insurance (PDF) to compare the two types. Even if a citizen receives federal disaster assistance, it may be a requirement to carry flood insurance for the life of the structure. The details are explained in Flood Insurance Requirements for Recipients of Federal Disaster Assistance.

Community Rating System

The Town of Evans also participates in the Community Rating System, a voluntary federal program that rewards communities that implement higher standards by providing discounts on flood insurance policies. The Town's efforts enable property owners in the floodplain to obtain discounted flood insurance.

 Additional Resources

For more information about flood insurance, you can contact the National Flood Insurance Program, contacting the Town of Evans Stormwater Management Officer (716) 549-0456, or by calling your insurance agent. The following FEMA publications may also provide more information:

Answers to Questions about the National Flood Insurance Program (PDF)

Appealing Your Flood Insurance Claim (PDF)

Cheaper Flood Insurance: 5 Ways to Lower the Cost of Your Flood Insurance Premium

Filing Your Flood Insurance Claim (Available in Spanish)

Flood Insurance Claims Handbook

Mandatory Purchase of Flood Insurance Guidelines

Summary of Coverage

Things You Should Know about Flood Insurance

Understanding Your Flood Insurance Policy

You can also contact the New York State Disaster and Flood Resource Center for more information on filing a claim, protecting your credit, avoiding storm recovery scams, and other resources to help you recover after flooding.