Does El Nino Mean It's Time To Buy Flood Insurance?

ELK GROVE (CBS13) — With the threat of El Nino bringing strong rain to California, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is warning that now's the time to buy flood insurance.

Jeff Beck with Allstate Insurance in Elk Grove says he's been flooded with calls about flood insurance quotes.

"Usually a few a day, yesterday, many more," he said.

But does everyone need to run out and buy flood insurance because of El Nino? He recommends anyone in flood-prone areas like Sacramento gets flood insurance.

Now his job is to sell insurance policies, but we asked him if some areas were more at risk than others.

"Here in Sacramento, the Natomas area, that are part of special flood hazard area, designated as a high-risk area," he said.

Any low-lying area or spot close to the river should have flood insurance.

"Other parts, you'll find like that are in the Delta, like Isleton, Clarksburg, other spots like that are in special flood hazard areas," he said.

Beck says if your home sits at a higher elevation or at the top of a hill, your flood risk is much less, regardless of El Nino.

But if you decide to get insurance, sooner is better than later.

"There is a 30-day waiting period before it goes into effect, so if you buy it today, if goes into effect 30 days from today. That's where coverage starts," he said.