Chapter 36 Quiz: Disasters and Emergency Prep

Part A: Multiple Choice

Select the best answer for each question.

1. Which FEMA flood zone designation indicates the highest flood risk and triggers the federal requirement to purchase flood insurance for federally backed mortgages?

a) Zone X (unshaded) b) Zone X (shaded) c) Zone AE d) Zone D

2. A homeowner's standard homeowners insurance policy typically covers which of the following flood-related losses?

a) Structural damage caused by river flooding b) Water damage caused by a burst pipe inside the home c) Contents lost due to storm surge flooding d) Foundation damage caused by floodwater

3. The NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) has a waiting period before coverage takes effect. How long is this standard waiting period?

a) 7 days b) 14 days c) 30 days d) 60 days

4. After a flood, what is the critical timeframe within which drying must begin to prevent mold colonization?

a) 7-10 days b) 5-7 days c) 72-96 hours d) 24-48 hours

5. When drying out a flooded home, drywall that has been submerged should be:

a) Dried in place with fans and dehumidifiers b) Cut out at the waterline only and removed c) Cut out approximately 12 inches above the visible waterline and removed d) Left for the insurance adjuster to evaluate before any removal

6. Water heater strapping is primarily intended to prevent which type of disaster consequence?

a) Water heater corrosion in humid climates b) Tipping and gas line rupture during an earthquake, which can cause post-earthquake fires c) Sediment buildup in high-mineral-content water regions d) Flooding of the utility room when the tank fails

7. In the context of earthquake preparedness, a "cripple wall" refers to:

a) A wall that has been damaged in a prior earthquake and not properly repaired b) Any wall that lacks seismic bracing c) The short wood stud wall that sits on the foundation and supports floor framing in homes with raised foundations d) A basement wall that lacks waterproofing

8. After a storm damages your roof, which of the following is the BEST sequence of immediate actions?

a) Wait for the insurance adjuster to arrive before touching anything, then proceed with permanent repairs b) Immediately begin permanent repairs to prevent further water intrusion; contact the insurer after repairs are complete c) Document the damage with photos, apply a temporary tarp, and contact your insurance company within 24 hours d) Contact a door-knocking contractor for immediate repairs, sign their contract, then notify the insurer

9. A portable generator must be operated at a minimum distance of how far from any door, window, or vent?

a) 5 feet b) 10 feet c) 20 feet d) 50 feet

10. In an emergency binder, a "Proof of Loss" form is associated with which tab or function?

a) Evacuation plan documentation b) The formal flood insurance claim statement that must typically be filed within 60 days of the flood c) Contractor warranty claims d) Carbon monoxide incident documentation

Part B: Short Answer

Answer each question in 2-5 sentences.

11. Explain the difference between a "flood watch" and a "flood warning," and describe what actions a homeowner should take during each.

12. A homeowner has a basement that flooded. Before re-entering the home, list four specific safety precautions they should take and explain why each matters.

13. What is an Elevation Certificate, who prepares it, and how can it affect a homeowner's flood insurance premium?

14. Describe two specific circumstances in which a portable kerosene or propane space heater could be used safely as backup heat during a winter power outage, and two circumstances in which it must absolutely not be used.

15. Explain why a home emergency binder should include a copy of your home inventory, and describe the minimum documentation that constitutes an adequate inventory.

Answer Key

Part A

1. c — Zone AE is the most precisely mapped high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area. Federal flood insurance requirements apply to all Zone A variants for federally backed mortgages.
2. b — Standard homeowners insurance covers internal water damage (burst pipes, appliance leaks). It explicitly does not cover flood damage from external sources such as rivers, storm surge, or surface water.
3. c — The standard NFIP waiting period is 30 days. This prevents homeowners from purchasing flood insurance only when a storm is forecast.
4. d — Mold can begin colonizing wet materials within 24-48 hours in warm conditions. This is the critical drying window.
5. c — Moisture wicks upward into drywall above the visible waterline. Industry standard practice is to remove drywall 12 inches above the visible flood line to ensure all affected material is removed.
6. b — Unstrapped water heaters tip over during earthquakes, rupturing gas lines and creating fire hazards. Strapping prevents the tip and the rupture.
7. c — A cripple wall is the short wood stud wall between the foundation and the floor framing in homes with raised foundations. These walls are a common seismic vulnerability.
8. c — Document first (for the insurance claim), make temporary emergency repairs to prevent additional damage (you are required to mitigate further damage under your policy), and notify your insurer promptly. Waiting passively for an adjuster while water continues to intrude is both policy-violating and financially damaging.
9. c — OSHA and generator manufacturers specify a minimum of 20 feet from any opening. Generator carbon monoxide poisoning causes dozens of deaths annually.
10. b — The Proof of Loss is the formal NFIP claim document that must be signed and submitted, typically within 60 days of the flood event.

Part B — Sample Responses

11. A flood watch means conditions are favorable for flooding to develop; it's a time to prepare (review your plan, move valuables, confirm your evacuation route). A flood warning means flooding is occurring or is imminent; this is the action phase — move valuables to upper floors immediately, be ready to evacuate if ordered, and do not wait to see how bad the flooding gets before acting.

12. Sample four precautions: (1) Wait for official clearance if an evacuation was in effect — re-entering before clearance can mean entering a structurally compromised building or a contaminated area. (2) Assess structural integrity before entering — bowed foundation walls or shifted roof lines indicate potential collapse. (3) Do not use electrical power until a licensed electrician certifies the system is safe — water and electricity is a lethal combination. (4) Wear rubber boots, gloves, eye protection, and an N95 respirator — floodwater is contaminated with sewage and biological hazards, and mold spores are airborne in disturbed flooded structures.

13. An Elevation Certificate is a document prepared by a licensed surveyor or engineer that establishes a structure's lowest floor elevation relative to the Base Flood Elevation on FEMA flood maps. If your home's lowest floor sits above the BFE, your NFIP flood insurance premiums will be substantially lower — sometimes dramatically so — than if it sits below. For a Zone AE property, an Elevation Certificate can be one of the best investments a homeowner makes before purchasing flood insurance.

14. Safe use circumstances: (1) In a large, open room with a window cracked 1-2 inches for ventilation, using a heater specifically rated for indoor use. (2) In a room where you are awake and alert and a functioning CO detector is present. Unsafe circumstances: (1) Never in a bedroom or while sleeping — you cannot respond to symptoms of CO poisoning if you're unconscious. (2) Never in a bathroom, small enclosed space, or any room without ventilation.

15. A home inventory documents your possessions so you can file a complete and accurate insurance claim after a loss event — without it, you may forget items or be unable to substantiate their value. An adequate minimum inventory is a video walkthrough of every room, narrated with descriptions of major items and approximate values, stored in cloud storage rather than only on a local device that may be lost in the same disaster. For higher-value items, receipts and serial numbers significantly strengthen the documentation.