Bertha is gone but the flood risk isn't: what to check now

Tropical Storm Bertha weakened to a tropical depression after moving inland over Texas, and coastal watches and warnings were dropped. The storm itself was finished, but the moisture it dragged north kept a flash-flood threat going across the Southeast into the weekend, according to CNN's weather team.

That gap is the part worth acting on. A system can lose its name and still flood your street, and your homeowners policy does not cover rising water. Flood insurance is a separate policy, and a new NFIP policy generally takes 30 days to take effect. Buying it after a storm is already on the map is too late.

If you do not know whether you carry flood coverage, or what your hurricane deductible is, an independent agent can pull your policy and tell you in a few minutes.