Only flood insurance covers flood damage. Without it, your recovery options are limited and costly. Your recovery will depend on your savings, your line of credit or the hope that a federal disaster declaration may make State/Federal disaster-related grants and/or U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest loans available.If you live in a Special Flood Hazard Area... Continue Reading →
The heavy downpour that flooded Kauaʻi in April of last year set a national record for the most rainfall in a 24-hour period. With 49.7 inches at Waipa Garden, Kauaʻi set the new record on April 14 and 15, 2018. The previous record of 43 inches was set close to Alvin, Texas on July 25... Continue Reading →
Hawai'i lawmakers will confront major policy questions this session as they grapple with looming problems from a warming planet, sea level rise and climate change in general. Rising seas and crumbling shorelines are staring lawmakers in the face as they consider more than a dozen bills dealing with climate change this session. Where should the... Continue Reading →
Wildfires change the landscape, destroying root structure and creating top soil that could repel water instead of absorbing it. Debris flows and mudflows can occur up to five years after a wildfire. Debris flows can take homes off their foundations and can carry things like vegetation, trees, large boulders and vehicles. Mudflows on the other... Continue Reading →
Why do insurance companies classify certain types of risk as uninsurable? And why do insurance regulators prohibit insurers from setting premiums that reflect risk, particularly in locales that repeatedly suffer losses from natural disasters? The short answer is that insurance today is misunderstood and hence is not effectively meeting its most important objectives—to inform those... Continue Reading →
The answer is “YES”. Every property in Hawai'i has a flood zone designation. It may not be in a high-risk flood zone (A or V zones) that would require mandatory flood insurance purchase as a condition of a federally regulated loan, but it doesn’t mean that flooding is not possible. In fact, 20% flood insurance... Continue Reading →
Chances are we are not prepared - or at least not as much as we could be - for the occurrence of a natural disaster. Knowing the risk, acting quickly and having a plan in mind in case of a disaster can not only prevent a major damage or loss of a property, but many... Continue Reading →
It is a question that is being asked by many experts in the field, flood insurance policy holders, federal and state employees that are directly affiliated with FEMA and NFIP. It is nothing new. Sadly, the potential for lapse has become increasingly common, with six short-term extensions of the program and two brief lapses... Continue Reading →
It's Monday and that means our weekly "Good to Know" article. It doesn't matter, if it's hurricane season or rainy season, it is always good to be prepared and to have that peace of mind, when it comes to having your home safe and secure against any potential natural phenomenon. Each year, it seems, we... Continue Reading →
