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Step 1
Learn about the types of floods that could affect your home. Snow floods occur when snow melts but the ground is still frozen; thus the melted snow has nowhere to go. Flash floods often occur in arid areas because the ground is too dry to absorb torrential rains. New development can affect natural drainage, dams and levees can collapse and tropical storms can dump unmanageable amounts of moisture on homes.
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Step 2
Determine the flood zone in which your home stands. Flood zones are determined by FEMA, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The zones show how severe flooding is in an area and what type of flooding the area may have, based on river flow, storm tides, rainfall, topographic surveys and more. You may live in a low, moderate or high risk area.
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Step 3
Find out whether or not you live in a floodplain if your home is located in a high risk area. A floodplain is also known as a Special Flood Hazard Area and flooding is extremely likely. If you own a home in a floodplain, you're required by law to have flood insurance.
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Step 4
Talk to community developers about the actions they've taken to reduce the likelihood of flooding. Many communities practice flood mitigation by establishing ordinances for floodplain building, zoning and subdivision planning. Measures they have or haven't taken may affect your assessment.
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Step 5
Contact a flood insurance company or agent. They will study the location of your home, as well as how the home is designed and built. They'll use these factors, as well as a flood insurance rate map, to determine your flood risk and the amount you would have to pay on premiums for flood insurance.
