This week declared National Flood Safety Awareness Week

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has labeled March 14 through 18 National Flood Safety Awareness Week.

Flooding is the most common, costly and deadly natural disaster in the United States each year. Ninety percent of all natural disasters in the U.S. involve flooding, and more than 20 percent of all flood insurance claims come from policies in moderate- to low-risk areas.

During National Flood Safety Awareness Week, FEMA is reminding families and businesses to take measures to ensure they are aware of their risk for flooding, to protect their homes and property from such an event, and to purchase flood insurance.

Get a kit—You may need to survive on your own after a flood or other emergency. This means having your own food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately.

Make a plan—Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance: how you will contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations.

Be informed—Find out if your home is at risk for flood and educate yourself on the impact a flood could have on you and your family.

More flood safety information can be found at http://www.weather.gov/floodsafety/, and to learn more about flood insurance and to find an agent, visit http://www.floodsmart.gov.