Flooding in the Houston area can make insurance expensive, but FEMA is offering affordable options for homeowners ahead of hurricane season.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Severe flooding in the greater Houston area is one reason our leaders are advocating preparedness, but private insurance to protect your property against rising waters can be difficult to find and extremely expensive.

There are options available to property owners in flood-prone areas.

The federal government created the National Flood Insurance Program specifically for people living in high-risk areas, like the Gulf Coast, where private insurers are not always willing to provide coverage.

It is a voluntary program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Administration, but communities must opt ​​in and follow certain regulations.

Then, homeowners can purchase flood insurance plans through partnerships the federal government has with certain companies that administer policies on their behalf.

Five million structures are thus insured across the country. These policies take 30 days to take effect, so FEMA liaisons suggest homeowners look into what’s available to them now, before hurricane season begins on June 1.

They also suggest contents coverage only for renters.

“The thing to remember about content is that your house is the palm of your hand. Turn it over and shake it. Anything that falls is contained. You will have to recover from all of that if you don’t have that by yourself,” said Gilbert Giron, FEMA’s regional flood insurance liaison.

Homeowners can purchase an insurance policy worth up to $250,000, but you can select a plan with less coverage to make your premium more manageable. When it comes to flooding, some protection is better than no protection at all.

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