Flood advice, from finding insurance to flood defense and cleanup

We've set up a special web page with objective advice for people in flood-prone areas, or just curious about what it would cost to get flood coverage. (We're the state agency that regulates the insurance industry in Washington state; we do not sell insurance.)

The page includes information on a local area of concern, Washington's Green River Valley. But it also includes a lot of links to where to find flood coverage, myths and facts about flood coverage (myth 1 is that your homeowner's policy covers it. It doesn't.), and information about avoiding damage and what to do after a flood.

Also, we occasionally field queries from the public about where to find flood coverage. For most people, the first stop is the federal flood insurance program. This is run by FEMA, but sold locally by regular insurance agents and brokers. How to find out who sells it? Here's a handy online tool. Simply type in your zip code, and the website will instantly generate a list of local agents and brokers.