Depending on which flood zone you live in, you may be required by your mortgage lender to have flood insurance (a homeowners policy typically doesn't protect you against flooding).

But even if you're not required to buy flood insurance, you may still want to consider a policy because, according to FEMA, about 25 percent of flood claims come from properties that are not in high-risk flood zones.

Keep in mind that flood maps can change over time. It can be helpful to stay in touch with your insurance provider and stay aware of any proposed changes to the FEMA flood map in your community. Development, wildfires. and other forces may change how water drains in your community. These changes may affect the risk of flooding in your area and can change your need or requirement for flood insurance.

By staying informed about your area's flood risk and taking precautions, such as purchasing flood insurance, you may be better prepared if a flood ever does threaten your area.