I really hope people in the affected areas have flood insurance. Home owners WILL NOT cover the claim. They'll cover water damage in a home if it's from a roof leak or a broken pipe, but something like 2-3 houses adjacent to each other, have rising water, that constitutes a flood, and therefore claims would be under flood insurance. For many parts of the country, flood insurance isn't very much.

Please people, if you live in a river/stream valley, and are at ANY risk of flooding, fork out the few bucks and get flood insurance. If you happen to live in the "blow zone" for hurricanes, insurance can equal homeowner's premiums, but then there's no choice in the matter. For what it's worth, NYC and much of the northern Atlantic coast is at risk for hurricanes. Welcome to the blow zone.