Even in this year of drought, with winter’s ice and spring rains, flooding is always a threat to properties that are in the flood plain, according to officials with the Maine Floodplain Management Program.

March and April are historically Maine’s primary months for flooding, but heavy rains can cause flooding any time of the year.

Because a homeowner’s or business owner’s insurance policy typically does not cover damage from flooding, state officials recommend that property owners and renters consider buying separate flood insurance. Potential buyers also shouldn’t delay since there is a 30-day waiting period before a policy goes into effect.

Some estimates indicate that only 21 percent of structures in the flood plain in Maine are covered by flood insurance.

According to the most recent National Flood Insurance Program Report for February 2002, 7,024 flood insurance policies are in effect in Maine with a total coverage of $874,197,600. This includes all flood policies for residential and nonresidential structures and contents.

The average coverage per policy in Maine is $124,529, and the average annual premium $557. Since 1978, $26,121,928 has been paid out in flood insurance claims in Maine.

For more information, contact an insurance agent or call the Maine Floodplain Management Program at the State Planning Office at 287-8063 or (800) 662-4545.