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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- If a flood strikes tomorrow, are you prepared?

It is a common misconception to think that because home insurance includes sewage and drain coverage that it also covers flood damage. However, this is not the case.

Flood insurance is its own entity.  Floods don’t have to come from a river or a lake. It’s just water passing through from one property to another causing flood waters to come into your house. However, it does not count if it comes in from the cracks that are already in your foundation.

So, when is a good time to buy flood insurance?

“Spring of the year, yes. Good time to buy it for your protection. Depending where your property is also depends on the rates. So if you live on top of that hill, your rates are going to be a lot less expensive than the guy that's down by the river,” says Tom Shafer, Farmers’ Insurance Agent.

With Ottumwa’s history of unpredictable floods, Shafer believes flood insurance to be invaluable.

“If you bought flood insurance today, it automatically has a 30-day waiting period before it kicks in. So it wouldn't be good until 30 days from now. And so if it was raining cats and dogs, and you hear there's going to be a flood, you could still buy it today but it wouldn't start until 30 days from now,” said Shafer.

You may want to think twice the next time you’re caught in the rain.