In downtown Pittsburgh, the place where the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers meet is called The Point. On St. Patrick’s Day in 1936, those two rivers overflowed and flooded much of downtown Pittsburgh.

Water at the Point that day rose to about 46 ft. More than half of the businesses downtown were underwater. And if you look real carefully, some of the older buildings in the city still carry the high water marks from that day.

What the 1936 Flood Set in Motion in PA

Congress had been sitting on flood control legislation for decades. The Great St. Patrick’s Day flood forced them into action. The activity that followed that flood saw the Army Corps of Engineers building 16 dams and reservoirs across its Pittsburgh district.

It’s a system that works. The Point has come nowhere near 46 ft since then. But nothing upstream is going to stop rain from landing on your roof and running down your street.

Why Flood Insurance in PA Is a Separate Policy

Homeowners policies don’t pay for flood damage. And that’s not just a Pennsylvania thing. At Daniel Carinici Agency LLC, we talk to people all the time who are caught off guard when their basement gets flooded.

You can buy a private flood insurance policy through a private insurer. The federal government also has the National Flood Insurance Program.

The Flooding Pittsburgh Deals With Now

Saw Mill Run Boulevard has seen flooding more than 20 times in the past 10 years. With water running fast enough to shove vehicles sideways. In Greenfield, there’s a low stretch locals call the run. It funnels stormwater off Oakland and Squirrel Hill through one single choke point.

You may look at a flood zone map and see that your property is nowhere near any of these high-risk areas. But FEMA reports that about 20% of flood claims come in from properties that aren’t in designated flood zones.

Check Your Flood Insurance Policy Before Storm Season

It takes 30 days for an NFIP policy to take effect. Buying one when you see storms coming in on the radar won’t help you. The rivers are a lot calmer than they were in 1936. But the creeks aren’t. Get in touch with Daniel Carinici Agency LLC to review your risks and figure out if flood insurance makes sense for you.

Mold forming after flooding is hazardous to your home and health. It compromises sturdy housing, smells musty, and worsens breathing problems. Pittsburgh, PA residents count on their flood insurance policies to cover issues like mold during and after a flood event. Unfortunately, the reality is far grimmer.

Does Private Flood Insurance Cover Mold Damage?

It depends on the circumstances of the mold growth. Generally, flood insurance will cover mold damage if the cause was unavoidable. To ensure this, the carrier wants evidence that you tried to prevent the mold from growing. Some expectations are cleaning the affected areas and drying them completely. If you failed to clean up and dry the mold properly, flood insurance won’t pay. The carrier’s reason will be that the mold growth was preventable.

A representative from Daniel Carinci Agency LLC will review the mold areas, collect documentation, and ask questions. The representative will bring the proof back to our office for review. The conclusive findings will determine coverage eligibility.

Will FEMA Cover Mold Damage?

The National Flood Insurance Program does not cover mold damage regardless of the cause.

Are There Insurance Policies That Cover Mold Damage?

There are insurance and add-on options related to mold in Pittsburgh, PA. Specific coverage information depends on the carrier you have. While both have their benefits and limitations, the policy must be active before the first sign of mold develops. It does not cover mold existing before coverage. Home insurance could be an alternative that covers hidden mold from accidental or sudden water damage, but it doesn’t cover flooding events. 

The agents at Daniel Carinci Agency LLC understand the problems mold can create for homes and rental properties. We encourage new and existing customers to speak to an agent about mold coverage. We can find flood policies that cover mold damage or review your existing policy to see if you can bundle mold damage with it. Contact our office for more information.