Tips for Managing Properties in Charleston's Flood-Prone Areas

A home in Charleston is a great investment and is desirable for many reasons, one of the main reasons being its waterfront location. What comes with Charleston’s easy accessibility to the ocean is flooding. It is vital to be informed about the flood risks that may arise with a Charleston home to protect your investment. It is important to note that every home in Charleston is different. It is very important to complete research on your home, specifically to better understand how your home stands against floods. You are not fighting the floods alone; the city of Charleston puts forth many efforts and projects to alleviate the risks citizens face. It may seem overwhelming to start protecting your home from the risk, but there are many quick fixes you can do yourself to protect your home.

Flood Zones & Elevation

The first steps you can take to learn about your home are to find your FEMA flood zone. Knowing your zone will inform you about the risk of flooding based on multiple factors, such as past flood data. If you are in a flood zone, it is not always cause for worry, as many houses located in a flood zone will never experience one themselves. Just as important as knowing your zone is knowing your elevation. Elevation is the reason why many houses in flood zones will never see a flood. To learn about your elevation specifically, many houses built or improved after 1990 will have an elevation certificate. With your elevation certificate, it is much easier to understand your individual risk in your flood zone.

The City of Charleston 

It is important to know that the city is working with you when it comes to flooding and wants to protect your home as much as you do. Charleston has executed several federal grant-funded projects to fight against flood mitigation. They recently completed a project that mitigated repetitive flooding, which saved over a million dollars in damage costs. There is currently a project being proposed where the city will elevate the bottom floor of any home below the defined flood elevation or built before 1985. Most recently, the city is in the final stages of a $200 million flood mitigation project that has already seen success in preventing floods on U.S. 17. It is reassuring to know that you are in a city that supports and provides resources for its citizens dealing with flooding. 

The Right Insurance & Safety Precautions 

For many areas in Charleston, it is required to have flood insurance. Though it may not be required for all, it is important to know your options and do what feels right for your home. Charleston is a community participant in the National Flood Insurance Program, which is a government-backed insurance program. This program does come with limitations, as they are limited to $250,000 for building coverage and $100,000 for contents coverage. On the other hand, private insurers set their own limits and typically offer policies that exceed $500,000. Your insurance is priced uniquely for your home, based on factors such as elevation, distance to water, and flood frequency. For a range of how much your flood insurance could be, according to Harrell Insurance Agency, the average cost of flood insurance in South Carolina is around $673 a year. You don’t have to leave the fate of your home in others' hands; there are many steps you can take to protect your home from any risks. For example, proactively maintaining drainage and sealing vulnerabilities is a step you can take yourself to protect your home. 

It is important to be informed on how to manage your property in flood-prone areas for the safety of you and your family, but also the safety of your investment. By doing yourself the favor of learning about your flood zone and your house's history, you can take action into your own hands and learn how to care for your home correctly. Even though it may feel hard to protect your home alone, the city is constantly working on projects and proposing new ones with the safety and longevity of your home in mind. There is also no shame in protecting the things you love; insuring your home against floods could not only provide your home with protection but also peace of mind for yourself.