This communication was created for Charlotte Insurance to promote the flood insurance product from National General to their customers. I did extensive research on local flood risk from multiple sources prior to writing this piece.

Copy below:

When waters rise, be sure you’re protected
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services has recorded 45 flood events in the
county over the last 100 years. These floods have caused over $80 million in
damages to property. Even if you aren’t required to have flood insurance by your
mortgage company, here are some great reasons to add flood coverage today:

• Your standard homeowner’s insurance does not cover flood damage

• Flood coverage takes thirty days to go into effect, so don’t wait until puddles are already forming

• Flood insurance starts as low as $129 per year if you live in a low- to moderate-risk flood zone

• In the past 20 years, there have been 4 floods in Mecklenburg County locations with a 1% chance of flood (should only happen once every 100 years)

• There are 3,262 dams in North Carolina and 2,439 dams in South Carolina, so you probably live near at least one

• 25% of all flood claims occur in low- to moderate-risk flood zones

• Average annual precipitation in Charlotte is 47.3″, but we can get more than half that in a single month

• 1/3 of national disaster relief occurs in low- to moderate-risk flood zones

• 3 of the past 5 years are tied for third most active hurricane and tropical storm seasons on record

• Federal aid is only provided when a flood has been declared a major disaster by the President, which has only been done 14 times in North Carolina since 1962

• Damage caused by debris flowing in the water can be even more devastating that the water damage alone

• There are 3.4 trillion gallons of water in Lake Norman held back by a single dam, Cowan’s Ford Dam

• Lake Wylie has 325 miles of shoreline subject to flood

• Rainfall in July of 2013 caused the Catawba River to rise over 17′ in Mecklenburg county

Flood insurance from National General is a cost-effective way to cover the things you own against damages from floods. Our world-class customer service agents as well as our knowledgeable and experienced claims adjusters are ready to show you why we are best suited to cover everything you’ve worked so hard to acquire..