![FEMA Encourages Minnesotans To Get Flood Insurance](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/03/flooding.jpg?w=980&q=75)
FEMA Encourages Minnesotans To Get Flood Insurance
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Federal Emergency Management Agency is encouraging Minnesota residents and businesses to buy flood insurance before it's too late.
Minnesota faces the threat of flooding statewide this year. FEMA points out there's a 30-day waiting period before a policy takes effect.
FEMA's regional administrator, Andrew Velasquez III, notes that standard homeowner's insurance does not cover flood losses.
Homes and businesses don't have to be in high-risk flood hazard areas to qualify. More than 20 percent of all claims come from floods that happened in low or moderate flood-risk areas.
FEMA says the average flood insurance premium in Minnesota is about $663 a year, but costs can be much lower in lower risk areas.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
More From AM 1240 WJON
![New Program to Provide Extra $300 a Week to Unemployed Minnesotans](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2017/11/Money-stock-photo.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Walz Again Requests Federal Help to Rebuild After Unrest](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2020/04/Tim-Walz.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![MN Asking FEMA for Non-Congregate Sheltering Funding](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2015/03/Congress-Plaza-Hotel-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![FEMA Testing New Nationwide Presidential Alert System Wednesday](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2018/10/wea_test_graphic_phone_only_081018.png?w=980&q=75)
![Feds Recommend FEMA Recover $1.5M in Duluth 2012 Flood Money](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2012/06/duluth3.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Storm Damaged Counties Begin Federal Reimbursement Process](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2013/08/HSEM.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Paynesville High School to Build Safe Room [AUDIO]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2013/05/paynesville_high_school_630x420.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![FEMA Grants $2 Million to Help Fix Duluth Wastewater Pipe](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2011/01/Duluth.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Federal Support for Area Emergency Housing Providers to See Massive Funding Cuts [AUDIO]](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2010/12/money.jpg?w=980&q=75)