Mobile homes (also known as manufactured or modular homes) are more prone to flood damage than traditional houses due to their tendency to be situated in high-risk areas and built on less secure foundations.FEMA provides online maps to assist in determining your flood zone; however, keep in mind that these may be outdated and fail to accurately reflect your home’s risk level.
1. Evacuate if Necessary
Prepare a plan and be ready to evacuate your mobile home during inclement weather, such as floodwaters. Flooding could damage its structure as well as threaten you and your family’s lives. Understand your risk by reviewing FEMA flood maps to pinpoint where your home lies on its zone map, taking into account previous flooding history, topography, and climate conditions that could impact its risk level.
If you live in an area at high risk of flooding, purchasing flood insurance may be required of homeowners with federally-backed mortgages. Private insurers are offering tailored policies with higher coverage limits and flexible options specifically tailored for mobile homes.
2. Move to a Safe Place Inside Your Mobile Home
Mobile homes are more susceptible to flood damage than other forms of housing and can present unique dangers during storms, including fire hazards. Mobile home residents should create a plan to evacuate in case their mobile home is threatened by severe weather, and consider staying with a friend or relative with a permanent house that includes a basement as an option.
Flood damage is typically not covered under standard homeowners’ policies, making it essential for mobile homeowners to purchase an independent flood policy or one with a rider for protection against flooding. Furthermore, elevating their home can further lower risk.
3. Secure Your Property
Mobile homes are more vulnerable than other forms of housing to flooding. Luckily, you can take various steps throughout the year and when floods are predicted to protect your property. Before the next storm strikes, use FEMA’s flood maps service to assess your area’s flood risk and see if your home lies within one. Also, use this tool to learn if any nearby streams could pose potential flooding concerns.
As soon as a storm approaches, remain alert and comply with evacuation orders. Avoid entering any flooded areas or damaged homes that might contain hazardous materials or wiring that could present safety risks; walk carefully along swollen streams or rivers that might contain raw sewage or harmful chemicals that should not be ventured upon.
4. Secure Your Foundation
A mobile home’s location and construction make it more vulnerable to flood damage; however, steps can be taken to prepare. These include purchasing flood insurance policies as well as taking measures to prevent or reduce flooding.
Step one of assessing your risk involves reviewing FEMA flood zone maps and local storm history. If you reside in a high-risk area, your mortgage lender may require that you obtain a government-backed flood insurance policy; private insurers also offer customized coverage options such as higher elevation coverage or deductibles that can lower premiums while improving storm preparation capabilities.
5. Make a Storm Safety Plan
Mobile homes can be more susceptible to flood damage than conventional houses in high-risk zones, but knowledge enables homeowners to take proactive measures to lower risk and protect themselves. Prepare a storm safety plan that includes evacuation routes, communication strategies, and shelter locations. Get periodic home inspections by professionals specializing in manufactured housing.
Elevate your mobile home if possible, and improve drainage systems to divert water away from your property. Secure or bring inside outdoor furniture, planters, decorations, and loose items found outside; high winds could transform them into dangerous projectiles that threaten to fall onto the lawn and damage it further.
6. Secure Your Electrical Wiring
Mobile homes (also known as manufactured homes) provide millions of people with an affordable yet high-quality living option. Convenient and flexible, mobile homes require regular upkeep and upgrades in order to remain safe.
Regularly inspect electrical outlets and switches for signs of wear or damage, including scorch marks or loose connections. Replace any damaged covers as soon as they occur, and be sure to install childproof outlets if you have young children in your household. I install surge protectors at both your electrical panel and outlets to avoid power spikes from damaging devices or creating fire hazards. Also, consider upgrading aluminum wiring with copper as it reduces fire risks.
7. Secure Your Gas Lines
Floodwaters can damage gas lines, increasing the risk of fire and poisoning in mobile homes. Make sure you inspect your primary valve frequently during flooding; it should have a rectangular hole, and be closed off ahead of a storm.
Study your area’s flood history to assess how often and severe flooding has been experienced locally. Consider having a professional install a pier underneath either your mobile home or a permanent foundation to lift it above flood levels. Alternatively, invest in flood insurance as it typically provides additional living expenses such as hotel stays and restaurant meals during recovery periods following a disaster.
8. Secure Your Water Lines
Mobile homes can be more prone to flood damage due to their construction and location than traditional houses, often being situated near coastal or low-lying areas prone to flooding during a normal rainstorm. Conduct a risk evaluation on your home by consulting FEMA maps and local flooding history. If your property lies in an area at high risk, consider purchasing flood insurance through either the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or through private policies.
Enhance the defenses of your home by elevating air conditioning condensers, water heaters, and other service equipment at least one foot above the potential flood level on pedestals or platforms – this can be accomplished relatively inexpensively.
9. Make a Flood Insurance Plan
Flood insurance policies provide essential protection for areas at high risk of flooding. Home, condo, and renter policies do not typically cover flood damages; thus residents must obtain this form of coverage in their policies.
Federally-backed flood insurance (NFIP) policies can be purchased from your mortgage provider, local government officials, or an independent insurance professional. There may be an initial waiting period before coverage starts for both building and contents coverage; additionally, some private insurers also offer “excess” flood coverage that extends coverage beyond NFIP maximums; you can use this online tool to identify whether your property falls into one.
