Many on floodplains don't have insurance

Janesville Gazette

The water comes halfway up the door at Laurie Jackowski's home in Binghams Point.

She and her family had to evacuate to her sister's home, and the only way she can reach her house in Koshkonong Township, just over the Jefferson County line, is by boat.

Yet Jackowski is one of the fortunate ones in her neighborhood. Not only was she able to move most of her belongings out of the house, she also has insurance covering the house and contents.

...Most mortgage companies require homebuyers in floodplains—areas defined by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Federal Emergency Management Agency—to purchase flood insurance. But owners sometimes let the policy lapse, and mortgage companies often don't notice, Wagner said.

The insurance is backed by FEMA. It covers up to $250,000 in structural damage and $100,000 in contents, Wagner said.

By contrast, because Rock County has been declared a disaster area, FEMA will cover up to $28,800 for uninsured residents for things such as emergency home repairs, rent assistance and medical assistance, said Meredith Helgerson, a spokeswoman with the Wisconsin Emergency Operations Center.

Homeowners can only receive the assistance once, she said. After that, they must buy flood insurance.

"The $28,800 is simply to help you get going again," she said. "But once it happens once, you have a responsibility to take the proper course of action in case it happens again."