Shake Up Your Thinking: Flood And Earthquake Insurance For Your South Carolina Home
The risks for natural disasters other than hurricanes in South Carolina still have a high probability of occurring in virtually every area of the Palmetto State. Floods have affected every corner of South Carolina since the state was first settled by the English in 1670. Tornados, which can be spawned by hurricanes and even severe thunderstorms, occur on more than just a seasonal basis in South Carolina. Even earthquakes, while not as prevalent as on the West Coast, have and can happen as South Carolina sits on a major fault that runs roughly the same path as I-26. South Carolina homeowners need to get into the mindset that the risks to their homes are not just limited to freak accidents and hurricanes almost half of the year. We’ll look into the feasibility of purchasing home insurance for events other than hurricanes. Flood risks in South Carolina are significant; the average home that does not sit in a low-risk flood area is still six times likely to be damaged by flooding than by fire. In those areas that are considered at high-risk for flooding, especially in flood plains and along the South Carolina coast, homes run an even greater risk of damage from floods over fire by 26 times. Another risk that is very prevalent during flooding is the contamination that can results from various different source. Floods can carry with them a great deal of harmful bacteria and germs that come from rotting natural vegetation and debris, mold and viruses, thereby depositing that in your flooded home. If the flood lasts for several days, the problem becomes greater. That can also be said of another problem of flood contamination brought about by the failure of private septic tanks and municipal sewage treatment systems. Floods can widely distribute harmful untreated raw sewage and fecal matter into your home. There are also flood risks that you will need money to address, the funds a flood insurance policy can provide. The air quality of your home during a flood cleanup is more suspect than you may realize. The failure to remove flood-contaminated materials and to reduce moisture, especially in a humid climate like South Carolina, can present serious long-term health risks. Although the last major earthquake in South Carolina was in 1886 in Charleston (7.6 on the Richter Scale), the fact is that South Carolina averages 15-20 earthquakes annually. Magnitudes of 3.5 to 4 on the Richter Scale are not uncommon in the Palmetto State. However, what is truly frightening is that many basic homeowners' policies do not cover losses caused by earthquakes. As a matter of fact, the entire state of South Carolina is considered to have a moderate to high risk for earthquakes. The question is when a major earthquake will occur, not if one will occur. About 70% of earthquakes in South Carolina are located in clusters around three areas: (1) Ravenel-Adams Run-Hollywood, (2) Middleton Place-Summerville, and (3) Bowman. These are not, however, the only places that earthquakes occur in South Carolina. Earthquakes have occurred in the Lake Jocassee area, Charleston/Summerville and near the Monticello Reservoir area in the past year. Floods and earthquakes are anticipated by some South Carolina scientists as potentially increasing as more global weather changes occur. Protecting your home with flood and earthquake insurance is a good idea. Flood risks in South Carolina
Earthquake risks in South Carolina
