Edmond Life & Leisure • April 29, 2021 • Page 17
Official recommends having flood insurance By Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready As a resident of Tulsa for the past 25 years, it was devastating to watch our neighbors’ homes destroyed in May 2019. It was emotional because it was not just the building itself they lost, but also the contents. When my boys and I went out to help clean the waterlogged neighborhoods, we found pictures, keepsakes, kids’ drawings and letters from loved ones—all things that can’t be replaced. We are back to April two years later and I want all Oklahomans to ask themselves if they have the necessary insurance coverage to mitigate its consequences. During the late hours of April 30 and the morning of May 1, 17 tornadoes struck Oklahoma. The storm carried 5 to 6 inches of rainfall. Thousands of Oklahomans were devastated by flooding resulting in more than $31 million in estimated losses. More than 6,000 flood claims were reported. Unfortu-
nately, many residents did not have flood insurance and some of them are still trying to recover today. As April showers bring May flowers, I’m encouraging Oklahomans to Get Ready now and prepare for the worst. Flooding can cause catastrophic damage, and preparation now will lead to a better recovery later. Here are three important reasons to consider flood insurance today: ---- You Live in Oklahoma Flooding is the number one natural disaster in the United States. While most standard homeowners policies cover tornadoes, hail, and wildfires, they do NOT cover floods. There is at least a 1 in 4 chance of flooding in high-risk areas during a 30-year mortgage. ---- 30-Day Waiting Period It typically takes 30 days for a flood policy to go into effect, so the time to buy is well before a disaster. That is why you need to purchase or renew flood insurance well in advance. Waiting until you see the water rushing is too late. Get flood coverage under the National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP) today. ---- Cost of Flooding Flooding can be an emotionally and financially devastating event. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, an inch of water in a home could cause more than $27,000 in damages. About 33% of all flood claims come from outside of high-risk areas. In 2019 nationally, the average flood insurance claim payment was $53,301while the average flood insurance premium payment was $674. While we cannot prevent another flood from occurring, we can get our state financially prepared for the damage when it hits. Let’s make sure that Oklahomans understand their flood risk. As I always like to remind folks… If it rains where you live, it can flood where you live. If you have questions about other insurance issues, please contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 1-800-522-0071 or visit our website at www.oid.ok.gov.
OC, Integris team up The prolonged presence of COVID-19 has exasperated the nursing shortage across the United States, including Oklahoma. To meet this need, INTEGRIS Health partnered with Oklahoma Christian University to educate, train and employ nurses more efficiently through INTEGRIS University. “Integris University is a modernized college experience, meeting students where they are at while they navigate work and career advancement,” said Brandon Tatum, Chief Strategy Officer at Oklahoma Christian University. “Oklahoma Christian University is proud to be partners in this effort to deliver a modernized education model that fully immerses students in a hands-on learning and working environment while affordably earning a Bachelors of Science in Nursing.” Applications for INTEGRIS University are now open. Candidates must apply to both INTEGRIS Health and Oklahoma Christian University, which can be done by visiting https://www.oc.edu/academics/online/integris. Integris and Oklahoma Christian University have teamed up to provide nurse training.
Business plan competition sees students fare well Student entrepreneur teams from the University of Central Oklahoma claimed one first place award and two second place finishes in the 2021 Love’s Entrepreneur’s Cup statewide business plan competition. Team Amidad from UCO claimed a $10,000 first place prize in the Small Business Division for its app-based concept that provides undocumented immigrants and refugees with guides on understanding their legal rights during arrests. Amidad team leader was Esther Velasco, with team members Sofia Arenas, Nichole Burroughs and Ashley Guerrero. Advisor was Amy Johnson. Hamkke, another team from the University of Central Oklahoma, claimed second place in the Small Business Division, while team Swift and Sweet Events from East Central University was the third place winner. Hamkke team Leader was Nhi Pham, with team members Emily
Falls and Marissa Perez. Advisor was Amy Johnson. A third team from UCO, Pick Pro, won second place in the High Growth Graduate Division for its patented Light Duty Electric Cargo vehicle that reduces time and expense for shipping fulfillment centers by enhancing productivity. Pick Pro team leader was Ruth Davis, with team members Drake Cartwright, Mattie England and Mark Steele. Advisor was Maurice Haff. P Pick Pro also was named Interview winner in the High Growth Manufacturing, Material Sciences and Transportation category, sponsored by the Oklahoma Business Roundtable. Team Empowering Natives from UCO was named Interview winner in the Small Business Product category, while team AGnosis from Oklahoma Christian University was named Interview winner in the IT/App category.
See Students, Page 18
Measure targets criminals and costs of cybercrime A bipartisan solution to address the proliferation of cybercrime unanimously passed the Senate last we4ek. House Bill 1759, authored by Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater and Sen. Zack Taylor, R-Seminole, updates language in the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act to better address computer security threats that continue to evolve. “Our cybercrime bills are woefully behind the advance of technology leaving our agencies, businesses, and consumers vulnerable to threats, such as malware and ransomware,” Ranson said. “This bill updates definitions and penalties in the Computer Crimes Act so that Oklahoma is better prepared for whatever the future
brings.” As technology advances and more commerce moves online, cybercrime is a growing threat. The FBI estimates that cybercrime costs the global economy more than $450 billion a year. This nefarious activity costs not only large companies but also small businesses. “When people think about cyber attacks, they probably think about large companies,” said Ranson. “However, small businesses are just as susceptible and sometimes more so due to their inability to pay for extensive cybersecurity. This bill is about protecting their livelihood and ultimately the state economy.” HB1759 is now eligible to be signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt.
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