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As the Midwest rounds the corner towards spring and the weather gets warmer, the mountains of snow left over from a long winter are quickly melting down – as good a time as any to start thinking about flood insurance.

Many think only those living in coastal areas or near large bodies of water should have flood insurance, but that's not necessarily the case. In fact, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), reports that 25 percent of all claims paid by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are for policies in low- to moderate-risk communities. Flood insurance is mandatory for anyone in an area designated as a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). However, owners of property outside of these zones should still consider flood insurance.

"It's important to remember flooding can strike in various forms, from small and localized to major and catastrophic," said Alice Byrne, Field Vice President for the Midwest Region of Allstate Insurance. "We hear a lot about floods triggered by severe weather, but the truth is flooding occurs throughout the country as a result of thunderstorms, sudden thaw and other forces of nature."

Snow Melt Problem Prevention:

Allstate and www.floodsmart.gov, the official Web site of the NFIP, offer these guidelines to protecting your home when winter gives way to warmer conditions:

• Snow can hold a lot of water. Each cubic foot of drifted, piled or compacted snow may contain gallons of water. If you take action now, you can prevent that snow from becoming a flooding problem.

• Make sure downspouts carry water several feet from your house to a well-drained area. About 2,500 gallons of water will come from a 1,000 square foot roof with one foot of snow depth across the roof. This much water may cause problems if it's allowed to drain next to your house.

• Move snow on the ground away from the house. Water from the snow may cause a wet basement if allowed to run down along the basement wall. If the ground is sloped one inch per foot near the house, moving the snow just three to five feet from the house will reduce problems.

• If you have a sump pump, examine and clean it. Test your sump pump by pouring water into the pit. Make sure the discharge hose carries the water several feet away from the house to a well-drained area. Also make sure that the pipe is on sloped ground so it drains to prevent it from freezing.

• Remove snow from around rural yards to minimize soft, wet soil conditions. Remember that a 20-foot diameter, 10-foot high pile of snow contains about 2,600 gallons of water. Move the snow to well-drained areas.

Don't get soaked…

Consumers should be aware that most homeowners, commercial and renters insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Homeowners may need separate flood insurance coverage to protect against losses from floods during hurricanes, thunderstorms or any time of the year.

In general, a policy does not take effect until 30 days after you purchase flood insurance. So, if the weather forecast announces a flood alert for your area and you go to purchase coverage, it's already too late. You will not be insured if you buy a policy a few days before a flood.

Get covered…

Homeowners can request flood insurance through their local Allstate agent. The NFIP provides flood insurance nationally, and claims are paid by the NFIP. Policies are sold and managed by insurance companies like Allstate through the NFIP Write Your Own (WYO) program.

Nearly 20,000 communities across the United States and its territories participate in the NFIP by adopting and enforcing floodplain management ordinances to reduce future flood damage. In exchange, the NFIP makes federally backed flood insurance available to homeowners, renters, and business owners in these communities.

Additional information on what you can do to prepare for floods can be found in the Catastrophe Information Center at www.allstate.com.

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