Common misconception about who can get flood insurance

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With extreme weather events happening more often, flooding preparedness is critical, and that includes having insurance. Team 12 Investigates is debunking a common misconception about who can get flood insurance. It’s still surreal for Nicole Lockwood and Michael Green to see their dream home, and everything they’ve built together, destroyed. Their Centereach neighborhood on Park Street was submerged last week. It was the worst flooding they've seen, but not the first time that it happened. “This time last year, a heavy rain happened and there was no drainage,” said Lockwood. “I had called my insurance broker saying I think I need flood coverage. They looked up the address and said, ‘oh you’re not in a flood zone, can't help you.’” Team 12 Investigates found people like Lockwood are being misled. News 12 discovered that any Long Island homeowner can get flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program . “The NFIP is a government FEMA sponsored program that anybody can get,” explained Howard Altschule, of Forensic Weather Consultants. The NFIP can be accessed by visiting FloodSmart.gov. From there, individuals can search for a participating provider in their area. There are 18 participating providers in New York. “These extreme events are becoming more and more common so that’s where you really have to be proactive and make sure you have the right coverage,” said Altschule. A spokesperson for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said the NFIP provides affordable flood insurance to property owners, renters, and businesses, to help recover more quickly after flood events. It also requires communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations. All Long Island communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. For Lockwood, the price of flood insurance can’t compare to the price of losing all her memories and belongings. “It’s very disheartening looking out a trailer window seeing a home you can't live in that we put all our energy into,” Lockwood said. The community is coming together to help Lockwood and her family rebuild after the storm. If you would like to donate to their cause, click here . "