Houston and Dallas face more flood rain as Texas storms roll on

Insurance Journal reports that storms sweeping the eastern third of Texas brought flooding rain to Houston and Dallas, with more expected Friday. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport logged about 3.5 inches of rain, thousands of customers lost power, and hundreds of flights were canceled.

Standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage, including water that rises from the ground or flows in from the street. Wind damage and wind-driven rain are usually covered, but a flooded living room is not. Separate flood coverage typically has a waiting period before it starts, so it has to be in place before the water arrives.

Now is a good time to read your declarations page and check whether you carry flood coverage, even if your home is outside a mapped flood zone. An independent agent can quote flood options and confirm what your homeowners policy does and does not pay for.