What does flood insurance cover? What Georgians need to know

ATLANTA, Ga. — Torrential downpours early Thursday triggered flash flood emergencies and prompted dozens of water rescues in towns like McCaysville.While homeowners often turn to their property insurance after severe weather, standard policies rarely cover rising water. Understanding how flood insurance operates, what it costs, and how long it takes to activate can mean the difference between financial recovery and thousands of dollars in uncovered out-of-pocket losses.According to the National Flood Insurance Program, a flood is an excess of water on land that is normally dry, affecting two or more acres of land or two or more properties. For example, damage caused by a sewer backup is covered if the backup is a direct result of flooding.The NFIP is a federal program managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that provides flood insurance to property owners, renters, and businesses. It was established by Congress in 1968 through the National Flood Insurance Act because