SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Last year, Puerto Rico endured numerous severe weather events including flooding, heavy rains and storm surges which affected families and businesses in various degrees, but were not extensive enough to justify a federal disaster declaration. However, more than half a million dollars were paid to flood affected business owners, renters and families who own flood insurance policies from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

“Buying and maintaining flood insurance assures you that assistance will arrive when you have to deal with a flood damaged property. Take steps now to protect your property and financial well-being,” said Alejandro De La Campa, FEMA’s Caribbean Area Division Director. “Buy flood insurance now and be covered by the start of hurricane season, because when you purchase a flood insurance policy there is a 30-day waiting period before it takes effect.”

Through the NFIP, homeowners can insure their homes for up to $250,000 and its contents for up to $100,000. Renters can buy coverage for personal property for up to $100,000. Nonresidential property owners can insure a building and its contents for up to $500,000.

Currently, 56,572 policy holders in Puerto Rico participate in the NFIP. This insurance can be purchased through your local insurance agent or company. Also, you can go online at www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-800-427-2419 for general flood insurance information.

Furthermore, FEMA advises residents to contact their local floodplain management officials to view current local flood maps. Additional information is also available online through FEMA’s Map Service Center at www.msc.fema.gov or www.jp.gobierno.pr/avi/ to see the updated flood map for your community.

Decide to be ready for any type of disaster, visit www.ready.gov and www.fema.gov for tools and resources to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergency events.

FEMA News Desk (787) 296-3554; (787) 296-3560

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.