Nuke, John7g, others in Georgia –
I checked in with Forrest early this morning; he and his family are okay, and I’m high and dry here in Southwest Georgia. We haven’t had any of the rain. You guys okay up there ?
My daughter in Carrollton runs the Enterprise Rent-a-Car branch in Villa Rica and she was covered up with rentals yesterday. A townhouse apartment she lived in up til about a year ago has flood water about 3 feet deep. We dodged a bullet there.
Hope you are okay.
Greg
Replies
thanks for asking, Greg. I've had no problems other than rain delays on jobs. This has been something like 2 weeks of rain here but we've missed the bad stuff that Douglass and Cobb and Norht Fulton counties got. Up by the Hooch which is the countyline between my county & Carrol county they've got some flooding and concerns with the new bridge there already. The river level blew by the old flood level of 15ft and is forecast to crest at 31'.
DW has had some issues getting to work at the northside but nothing that can't be managed. 285 around ATL is closed where the Hooch is flowing over it. If you know that area/bridge, there's usually a lot of distance between the bridge and the normal water level. Lot's of small industrial businesses along the river there too. Same thing for I-20 where it crosses the Hooch.
An in all, I'm pretty lucky. Lot's of folks without flood insurace with lots of flood damage.
John
Ahoy!
We are surviving fine. I'm in Douglas county and the county is a mess. Over 45 roads closed and it's hard to get anywhere out of the county. Luckily I don't have to work til Saturday. Hopefully there will be a decent way to get there by then.Had a little bit of damage at the house but nothing major. Just amplification of an issue I have been trying to figure an easy way to fix.Got some water and mud to clean up but that's the worst of it.Much of the county has no water, ex stayed here last night and then it took her about 3.5 hours to get to the airport for work.I have several co-workers who are just getting rooms near the airport since they can't get home.
>I have several co-workers who are just getting rooms near the airport since they can't get home.<
That's gotta suck big-time
Yeah, but my guess is they picking up a bunch of OT since there a lot of people that can't get there.
you gonna make a post about your water issue that you're looking for an easy fix for?
Yeah, I need to get the camera out there and post some pics.
There surely was a water problem for the folks that had their house burn to the water line yesterday. Even the fire department showed up in time for the flood waters to flood the fire engine. Crazy.
I just saw that picture (the link to the AJC I posted previously has gotten updated since I 1st posted it). 'Burned to the waterline' isn't a term you'd normally relate to houses.
"That's gotta suck big-time"
Maybe not, I always enjoy motel sex the best. Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
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espcially when you're by yourself?
Yer never alone when yer schizophrenic.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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>Yer never alone when yer schizophrenic.<
so does it ever get too crowded?
Only when playing Strip Twister on the oiled tarp.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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pictures: http://projects.ajc.com.coxnewsweb.com/gallery/view/metro/atlanta/atlanta-flood-aerial-0922/
Terrible. Water up to second story windows. What a mess that's going to be.
and most don't have flood insurance from what I'm hearing on the news. Flood ins only required by the mortgage holder if you're in teh 100yr flood plain. For all the rest flood ins is voluntary. Lots of people going to be looking for help from the govt.
And I will be surprised if all the bridges pass inspection once the water recedes.
John, when I bought my house in 2000, the insurance agent (Allstate) told me that they do not sell it, that I do not live in a flood plain, and if I got it they would reassess my liability and could almost assure me they'd go up substantially.
Allstate is all about the [self] love. Was I lied to?
That's just what I was hearing on the radio thi morning during an interview with an insurance guy.
Maybe Greg (the OP) can say something more educated about it for us? I'm pretty sure he's an insurance guy. No?
That's pretty crazy talk for an insurance professional. I work for Big A as an Independent Contractor, and we've sold and serviced Flood Insurance for my entire 24 year career with them. Agents that aren't in a flood prone area may not have bothered with the training. ALL Flood Insurance Policies are from FEMA, through the National Flood Insurance Program. The individual insurance companies simply administer their products. If you shop it, you'll find that the price is exactly the same no matter who you buy it from, if it's rated properly.There are very few counties left in Georgia that haven't been mapped for elevations, what we call a Participating Community. Flood Insurance is available most everywhere, even if you live on a mountaintop. The premium is reduced considerably in the "Preferred Risk" areas. And in the actual Flood Zone, each foot of elevation (finished floor level) decreases your premium exponentially.I had certain Homeowners customers here in Albany Georgia that I had (documented) offered them Flood Insurance on four separate occasions - they declined each time. They lived on the creek. In 1994, they had 4 to 6 feet of water in their homes. FEMA and Georgia Emergency Management gave out grants, at that time it was $12,200 per household, and you had to purchase a three year Flood Insurance Policy to get the money. In 1998, we had ANOTHER "500 year flood", and MOST folks affected in 1994 had not renewed their 3 year policy. No coverage.The guy that told you that we didn't sell it, or that you didn't need it, or that you couldn't buy it - should be fired as your Agent.In 1994, the federally mandated waiting period was only 7 days. When Tropical Storm Alberto stalled in my area, and dumped 22 inches of rain, people downriver, in Bainbridge, Georgia, had time to buy the policy and wait for it to properly go into force, and they collected big money on their damage. Now, the waiting period is 30 days - UNLESS the coverage is needed for a loan closing, a new mortgage. Then, it can be bound and immediately in force.Just as in Atlanta, Douglasville, Carrollton, MOST, a very high percentage, of homes that are flooded do not have flood insurance coverage. FYI, on a $250,000 house OUTSIDE a mapped flood zone, coverage is about $230 a year. Pretty good peace of mind for any of us.Glad you and your home are safe. We all followed the basement remodel, I'm sure happy for you.Greg
Good stuff! thanks for the info Greg.
7g
John: your chestnuts are safe! Up here in Dawson Cty we rec'd nowhere near as much rain as those of you inside or near the perimeter. Lasterday, DW & I were driving across northern Fulton toward Alpharetta & went into a bottom area. There was a low bridge across some stream that was about to overflow the bridge. Then The heavens opened up into overdrive. What a mess!DonDon Reinhard
The Glass Masterworks
"If it scratches, I etch it!"
Indeed a mess and glad it missed me down here around Newnan. Was thinking your area was passed over the same as ours.
Good to hear about the chestnuts. I really do appreciate it. I'm getting ready for 4lbs (!) of Burr Oak acorns from Dad. Not sure I'll have enough space for all of them.
Greg, when the original agency got sold out (original owner retired) this same 'agent' was continually employed at the new owner's business. This is the same agent that talk (coerced?) folks into large deductibles and never filing a claim--which I have not done even though I felt I should/could have during the 2003 hurricane.
Nice how some agents serve their practice by scare tactics, huh?
Question, since all agencies are selling the same exact policy from FEMA then is there any reason why a homeowner cannot get the flood insurance through another insurer?
Nope, no reason not to. Your Homeowners Policy isn't connected to the Flood Insurance in any way. By definition, a flood is "rising water" from a source outside the home. Regular Homeowners Insurance excludes flood damage. You do, however, have coverage for water damage from inside the home IF it is "sudden and accidental". Ruptured pressure tank from the water well, burst pipe, a sudden failure in the icemaker line or solenoid in the washing machine. But the slow, hidden leak under the dishwasher, or the spongy floor and rotten joists in front of the bathtub, no go. If there's rot, it's probably not a covered water loss, because it's happened over a long period of time.Sometimes, if your house is actually in a risk area for flooding, it's necessary to get an Elevation Certificate from a Surveyor. This tells us precisely what level your finished floor is above Sea Level, or the normal level of the local river, creek, holding pond. You really can't judge terrain by eye, standing in the street. The grading of the lot has nothing to do with it.I've had people tell me that their single story house is lower at the back than at the front. Huh ?Greg
This is some good info into the world of insurance Greg. Does Nuke have to stick with the same agent or can he start using a different agent to manage his All State account?
He can switch for better service, but the commission stays with the original agent. It's a rip to those of us that take time to give good customer service. The compensation thing is an inside secret, we service them all and don't allow that to bother us. Those good relationships can build new business for me, maybe a life insurance sale or the boat or motorcycle. The new stuff comes to me.Greg
The last count I saw had 137 roads closed damaged or destroyed in Douglas county alone. Glad I stocked up on groceries a few days ago as it may start getting difficult to get deliveries to stores.I still have water but much of the county does not and all are asked to boil water due to the high number of water main breaks and low pressure.
And the State is broke. My wife was furloughed three days from her Public Education job, my buddy that's a Game Warden has 6 furlough days before 12/31/2009. Can you imagine the cost of all those bridges and roads ?
I expect the President to make the helicopter tour and photo op today - hope he brings in the Federal Aid.
Greg
> hope he brings in the Federal Aid.<
that's going to be the only solution.
Yup. It's bad. The county really seems to be doing a good job of managing things thus far. It's going to be a while before it gets back to normal though. I'm just hoping I can find a reasonable route to work by Saturday night.
Pretty cool map here that shows the extent of the road closings in Douglas county.
http://www.celebratedouglascounty.com/view/global/viewdownload/&docid=3301&file=/Road_Closure_Map_9-28-09,3pm.pdf
looks like a lot of bridges and that means lots of money.
Yup, and traffic is a nightmare. There are only a couple ways in and out of most of the county at this point. Glad I work odd shift hours, and only three days a week.
Greg, your examples are nice but I can think of another water-related event: water coming in through roof, brick, and other forms of infiltration that are revealed during a hurricane. Because of my [dis]trustworthy Allstate agent, I lived with, and continue to live with, the resulting condition revealed in September 2003 when a hurricane came through Atlanta.
The roof leaked (new construction home bought in 12/2000), greek return (cornice return) leaked, and brick leaked. The roof was the bay window roof. In my county bay windows are 'ornate' according to the county chief building inspector, and as such require no roof at all.
The cheap standing seam metal roof was revealed years later to not have been appropriate for homes with a brick or stucco facade such as mine. The water damage caused the ceiling in the study to fall. I spent the money on removing the POS roof, had someone come in an install (for the first time!) a subroof, and then a flashed and counter-flashed metal roof for the bay window.
But, the above efforts one resolved one of three water infiltration locations as mentioned. The lack of through-flashing under the bedroom window above the study's bay window allow water to get in behind the brick and into the study's ceiling cavity. Still unresolved as no contractor wants the job (writing blank checks, too).
And the greek, or cornice, return was discovered to be warped wood product and incorrectly installed flashing as it interfaced with the brick. Of course, under the scare tactics of my agent, no claims were even considered for filing and the problem remains.
Now, I will add that one in tne rainfalls is from the back of the house and not the front, so trying to test applied solutions isn't easy or quick. But as far as homeowners insurance, its a never file a claim condition matched with a high deductible based on Allstate scare tactics.
After after another Allstate insurer t-boned my trick and we were treated as criminals by Allstate until WE made every effort to prove the reality of the situation, the wife and I are willing to go with no-name insurnace company instead of scare-tactic Allstate, and lying State Farm.
Not trying to deviate the discussion of homeowner's insurance and flooding, but please understand where some of might be coming from. And I am not shy about providing the names of my Allstate scare agent's name in email upon request.
Sorry you've had bad experiences. I remember trying to help with a little advice on the accident you were involved in.
I'm not in management, names wouldn't help us at all.
As for the damage to the house from the storms, your policy should cover the damage, but we don't cover workmanship or materials. Bad brick drives me nuts, my own mother's house has a large central chimney, and the brick is so porous, she has had water sheeting down over the mantle. The flashing is great, the water seeps through the brick.
Greg
Edited 9/24/2009 11:57 am ET by GregGibson
Well, the brick itself is fine, but the lack of through-flashing between openings in the brick (i.e. window above bay window), and the lack of apparent code requiring a subroof underneath the standing seam roof, only served to make the overall condition 'life long'.
I, too, remember the original rant by yours truly. The best solution was that I spent $40K (in 2003) on removing the entire brick facade and re-installing it with the appropriate flashing. Yet, nothing can counter the lack of code by this redneck county.
And I see these problsm galore in GA. Between bad codes, codes not enforced, and bad insurance practices, the homeowners is screwed into legacy. You see, I could never resell this home. I would be held accountable for everyone else's failures.
Curious though, you said flood insurance covers for rising waters, or water from outside the home. Even folks not in a flood zone and not experiencing a flood have water related issues from outdoor sources. How are these treated, and what is (if any) time limit for claims?
Florida and Texas must have a storm caused opening to file a valid claim. On homeowners. don't know about flood.
If the water comes up, its flood. If its coming down its storm related.
New guy at work; moved into new house yesterday, okay? Cool. His wife drove by the first house they put an offer on (didn't get) this AM -
Water up to the basketball HOOP in the driveway.
Not sure if it was regulation height.
They were pretty feelin' like they dodged the bullet.
Forrest
Greg, thank you for asking. The wife and I are fine, dry, and without loss of property. I feel bad for the folks that lost members of their families, and for those folks that just lost their homes.
I got stuck in the I-85/I285 parking lot when the DOT shut the junction down due to flooding (5AM). Surprisingly the early drive home was without accident--yes, people on the Interstate in Dekalb and Gwinnett were behaving themselves for once.
Took my Tundra wading through water as two roads to my subdivision were flooding over, but I dang sure got that seat belt off, the doors unlocked, and a finger on the electric window opener just in case I was forced to go swimming (redneck bath).
I do feel like the luckiest person I know as even my recently finished basement was untouched--not asking mother nature to pee on that parade. Wish everyone else luck as I have no clue how others are surviving the floods.
PS: I really feel sorry for the folks who's home caught fire and have the fire department show up and then the floods ran them off on foot. The Fire department lost the truck! The irony.
"A townhouse apartment she lived in up til about a year ago has flood water about 3 feet deep."
That's only about knee deep, for you, isn't it ?