When you think of flooding, what comes to mind?
Hurricanes?
Basements overflowing?
Heavy rainstorms?
It’s not exactly a fun thought to have or a great situation to be in. According to a study by The Department of Environmental Health Sciences, floods are the most common weather-related crisis. And they're causing more direct economic damage than any other type of natural disaster.
Unfortunately, the number of floods is only going up.
Flooding Statistics in the United States
First Street Foundation’s analysis found that “across the country, the average estimated annual loss for the 5.7 million properties that have any flood risk and an expected loss from that flooding is $3,548, which totals to $20.3 billion in annualized expected losses in today’s environment.
Using climate projections for 30 years into the future yields a 67% increase in the average estimated annual loss, or $5,913 per property at risk of economic damage from a flood, and an estimated $34.0 billion loss across the contiguous United States."In the above image, you can see the estimated changes from 2021 to 2051. These are projections for homeowners who are in an area with a higher risk of flooding. While it appears that much of the increase is around the Southeastern parts of the country, there are several locations throughout that will feel the impact.
Jaleesa Tate, State Hazard Mitigation Officer working towards reducing the risk of damages with flood mitigation projects, says that with climate change, education and outreach is one of the greatest tools we have to ensure people are aware of their risks. Though projections are set for 25-50 years out, we’re already experiencing the effects of climate change today. And these high precipitation events are overwhelming our aging infrastructure – creating more challenges with recovery and building structurally sound homes.
How Are Restoration Franchises Impacted?
Higher Number of Restoration Projects
An increase in flooding equals more need for restoration professionals who can quickly work to return properties to pre-loss conditions. As you can see from the image mentioned earlier, the risks are nationwide. At STOP Restoration FranDev, our locally owned and operated locations spread throughout the contiguous United States. And as we continue to grow as a company, we're able to assist even more communities.
Community Outreach is More Important Than Ever
Our franchisees need to be aware of the changes and remain up to date as things shift. Every location actively provides community outreach to help people understand the risks in their respective areas to help their communities prepare for and recover from disaster in the most efficient manner. We’re committed to ensuring everyone knows how to receive fast help when or if disaster strikes.
Growing Need for Building Code Expertise
When customers hire our teams for restoration projects, we work within the correct building codes for public safety. David Mausrstad, FEMA Deputy Associate Administrator for Insurance & Mitigation says: “For every $1 invested to enhance public safety and property protection, it could translate into $4 of post-disaster savings.”
Knowledge of Insurance Claims Is a Must
Within each territory, franchises commit to helping their neighbors by guiding them through the restoration process, including navigating insurance claims. Currently, 99% of U.S. counties have already undergone a flood disaster. And as the number of floods grows, insurance policies can become more complex to figure out. That’s where our expertise comes in.
Are you interested in joining a network of caring individuals helping their communities? We’d love to hear from you! Give us a call at (844) 980-1518 or reach out online – we’ll be in touch soon.
