Are You Considering a House in a High Danger Zone? By Louise Scoggins At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Would you change your mind about a potential house if you found out it was in a flood zone? What if it was in a hurricane hot zone? Or an area that had frequent tornados? There are very few locations you can find that are not in danger of some kind of natural disaster. The key is to make sure you and your possible house are as prepared as you can be.

The National Flood Insurance Program’s website states that “everyone lives in a flood zone.” Some are just lower-risk areas than others. The website also has flood insurance rate maps of local areas so you can see how high a risk your area is at. The NFIP was started by Congress to offer flood insurance to cover any damage caused by flooding. If you are in a high-risk area, you may be required by your mortgage company to buy flood insurance.

If you are considering coastal property, the threat of hurricanes may be a concern to you. Oceanfront property has endless appeal. Even though there is constant risk, it sells well. Insurance costs may be a larger deterrent to buying than hurricanes though, as insurance premiums can be significantly higher. You may also have the additional cost of installing such precautions as hurricane shutters or hurricane straps to anchor your house.

Tornados can occur just about anywhere, but they are most common east of the Rocky Mountains. A house with a basement is much safer during a tornado, as it is best to seek shelter in low interior room of your house when in danger. Another precaution you can take is to keep a weather radio in the house to have an awareness of when tornado watches or warnings are posted. Building a “safe room” inside or outside your house using FEMA’s informative pamphlet can ease many family’s concerns and possibly even raise you house’s value.

Are you considering a home at risk of an earthquake? FEMA has regional maps on their website where you can search your risk by state. They suggest having an emergency plan in place and having designated safe areas both inside the home and out of it. The importance of building codes cannot be undervalued as they have saved lives and reduced property damage time after time. If you are considering a house at high-risk of an earthquake, it is vital you ensure that the house is congruent with local building codes. If it is an older home, you can also have a risk assessment performed on the house and have it retrofitted with structural reinforcements.

Everyone should have a disaster kit prepared in their home in case some unexpected catastrophe strikes. Knowing evacuation routes in case you must leave your home in a hurry is always a safe route. Make sure that your family knows what to do if there is an emergency. Being prepared and knowing your risks make buying a house in a danger zone a much safer prospect. A Simple safety drill practiced occasionally could save lives.

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