CoastalWide LLC

05/07/2026

After years of thinking about writing it, it's done.
I just published The First-Time Buyer's Guide to Flood Insurance — a 64-page plain-English guide for anyone buying their first home, especially in or near a flood-prone area.
I wrote it because I watch the same pattern play out every week: a buyer falls in love with a house, the lender doesn't require flood insurance, they skip the policy, and three years later there's a storm and a phone call I wish we'd had three years earlier.
This is that earlier conversation. In writing.
What's inside:
🏠 How FEMA flood zones actually work (and why "X zone" doesn't mean "no risk")
🏠 What your homeowners insurance does NOT cover (spoiler: flood damage)
🏠 NFIP vs. private flood insurance — how to compare quotes
🏠 The 5 questions to ask before you make an offer
🏠 What to do in the first 72 hours after a flood
Plus a Buyer's Due-Diligence Checklist, a Realtor disclosure script, an Elevation Certificate quick-read guide, and a glossary of every term you'll encounter at closing.
64 pages. $49. Instant download.
If you know a first-time buyer or a Realtor who could use this, I'd be grateful if you shared it. Link in the comments

06/12/2024

Another lunchtime webinar coming in July.

05/07/2024

https://youtu.be/SsS_ss1gqd8

Flood Facts Myths & Monsters is about finding the facts, dispelling the myths and uncovering the monsters of flood risk and floodplain management.We are dedi...

07/22/2021

Call us to discuss Risk Rating 2.0 due to roll out October 1, 2021.
See how this new rating methodology will affect Indian River County. Talk to your expert at CoastalWide Risk Rating.
www.coastalwideriskrating.com

Consulting firm helping you navigate the NFIP flood insurance, elevation certificates, reclassify you out of flood zones and helping communities with their Community Rating System to become more resilient and save $$.

03/15/2021

The cost to recover from lost infrastructure due to flooding is high. Mitigation through insurance, retrofitting, relocation or elevating saves a community $6 for every $1 spent. For more information about grant programs for mitigating your structure visit fema.gov/grants

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03/13/2021

Most areas in the Town of Indian River Shores are prone to some amount of damage from coastal flooding, including sea level rise. Learn about scientific predictions for rising sea levels in the Town of Indian River Shores & potential impacts on our coastal community at fema.gov/grants

03/12/2021

Protect our natural floodplain functions. Keep swales and drainage ditches clear of debris to ensure water flow. Report the dumping of materials to the Building Department. Learn more about natural floodplains at www.irshores.com/government/fema-and-floods

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03/11/2021

Build responsibly. Avoid building in floodplains. Before you build, find out what the regulations are and what permits are required. Be aware of substantial improvement rules, which are there to correct structures built before regulation and flood mapping. These apply when a structure is below a known base flood elevation plus freeboard. For more information visit www.irshores.com

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03/10/2021

Stay safe. Intense or excessive rainfall can overtop canals and ditches, flooding streets. Remember to turn around, don't drown, as driving in flooded streets can stall your car and cause wave action to further flood structures along the road. Prepare ahead for bad weather and make a flood emergency plan today. For more information visit

Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related de...

03/09/2021

Flood insurance is available to everyone, regardless of whether you rent, own or have a business, and is available even if you are not in a mapped floodplain. Flood insurance is not included in your property insurance policy. For more information visit fema.gov./national-flood-insurance-program, or contact me for a quote [email protected]

03/08/2021

Did you know that most areas in the Town of Indian River Shores are potentially prone to some amount of flooding from excessive rainfall or tidal influences? Property owners need to know their flood risk. Go to www.irshores.com to find yours, or call 772-231-1771 and ask for the CRS Coordinator.