Many people think if they don’t live near a river or the coast, they are not in danger of flooding, but that’s not true. In recent years, remnants of tropical storms and heavy spring and summer rainfalls have caused serious flood damage all across Maine.

This means everyone lives in a potential flood zone and most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Mainers can take steps to protect their financial well-being before disaster strikes by purchasing flood insurance.

You are eligible to purchase flood insurance if your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, which is managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Flood insurance covers direct physical loss caused by “flood.” In simple terms, a flood is an excess of water on land that is normally dry. Generally, physical damage to your building or personal property “directly” caused by a flood is covered by your flood insurance policy.

For example, damages caused by a sewer backup are covered if the backup is a direct result of flooding. If you live in a high-risk area – a special flood hazard area – you are required to purchase flood insurance if you have a mortgage from a federally regulated lender.

You must carry the insurance for the life of the mortgage. If you live outside a flood hazard area you are still at risk for flooding. In fact, 20 to 25 percent of all flood claims are filed in low-to-moderate flood-risk areas.

Find out about your flood risk by contacting your local floodplain management official. Learn more about flood insurance and risk at www.floodsmart.gov. If you live in a low- to moderate-risk area, you may be eligible for a low-cost preferred risk policy, which can start as low as $112 a year.

To purchase flood insurance find an agent online at www.floodsmart.gov, or call (800) 427-2419. Policies for building and personal property coverage can also be purchased separately.

According to the National Flood Insurance Program, flooding has cost Mainers nearly $3.5 million in the past five years. As a result, more Mainers are now flood insured. Policies have increased nearly 8 percent in the last year.

Ninety-three percent of Maine’s communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. However, many Maine residents remain at financial risk. There are more than 400,000 households in Maine and only about 8,000 insurance policies in effect.

Be floodsmart and reduce your risk by following these tips:

• Learn your flood risk. Properties that are not located within high-risk areas can also flood. Find out your flood risk right now by entering your address at FloodSmart.gov. Insurance agents can also help check your risk.

• Plan for evacuation. Plan and practice a flood evacuation route, ask someone out of state to be your family’s contact in an emergency and make sure everyone knows the contact’s address and phone number.

• Move important objects and papers to a safe place. Store your valuables where they can’t get damaged.

• Conduct a thorough home inventory. Thorough documentation of your belongings will help you file your flood insurance claim. Go online to www.knowyourstuff.org for more information.

• Create an emergency supply kit. Food, bottled water, first aid supplies, medicines and a battery-operated radio should be ready to go when you are. go online to www.ready.gov for a complete disaster supply checklist.

• Reduce your flood risk through home improvements. Go online to FloodSmart.gov to learn about ways to lower your risk of sewer backup, electrical problems, basement flooding and other flood-related issues.

• Purchase a flood insurance policy. Most homeowners insurance does not cover floods and there is a 30-day waiting period before a policy becomes effective. If you already have a flood policy, remember that it needs to be renewed each year.