FEMA launches new tool to help with flood recovery FRANKLIN, Ind. (WISH) — A week after floods hit the Hoosier state, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is providing a free first step to help prepare for the next disaster. Just one week ago, Franklin’s Community Park was compl etely underwater. Community Park in Franklin experiences extensive flooding. (WISH Photo) One week later, there’s no water in sight. But, it doesn’t mean the floods did not serve as a notable reminder about how valuable flood insurance can be. Community Park in Franklin one week after flooding. (WISH Photo) “The park we walk everyday with our dog was unwalkable,” Franklin resident Abigail McKinney said. “It looked like a swimming pool. It was crazy.” McKinney and her husband moved into their Franklin home last year, just a few blocks from Community Park. FEMA says flooding is the most common natural disaster across America, but is not covered under most homeowner’s insurance policies. In fact, the agency says less than 4% of U.S. households are insured from flooding, but 99% have been impacted by flooding. “We’re actually pretty lucky because Franklin is known for all of the flooding that we get,” McKinney said. “We’ve had lots of issues in the past, but with our house, we’re located on a little bit of a hill. Doesn’t look like it, but we don’t really have flooding issues. But definitely, our neighbors in the area do.” While they’re grateful to have found a house on a hill, they certainly thought about Franklin’s flooding issues while searching for a home. They also considered the roadblock that getting the necessary insurance could pose. “I know that, like a lot of services anymore, you do have to pay a quote just to have someone come out,” McKinney said. FEMA is offering to help. They are working to expand access to flood insurance by launching a new “National Flood Insurance Program,” with a free online quoting tool. The tool is able to access a home’s unique flood risk. “Having a free service to be able to see what that cost is going to be would definitely be helpful to people,” McKinney said. “It’s definitely good to be covered, just in case something happens. We have an issue going on with our sewer line right now, and we added on sewer line coverage in our insurance when we bought the house and that’s going to be helpful for us, it’s an added expense, but it saves money in the long run.” The free quote tool is called floodsmart.gov. It also provides local and national carrier information to help get homeowners their quoted policy. ...read more read less