# HGTV's Erin Napier Discovers Engagement Memento During Home Flood
HGTV star Erin Napier recovered a cherished keepsake from her engagement to husband Ben after floodwaters damaged their home's basement. The 40-year-old shared the discovery on Instagram, describing how the disaster inadvertently surfaced the sentimental item that had been stored away.
Napier, known for her design work on HGTV's "Home Town," did not disclose specific details about the flooding incident or the extent of damage to her property. Her post focused instead on the emotional silver lining of finding the memento among the water-damaged belongings in the basement.
The incident highlights a common risk homeowners face in flood-prone areas. Water damage to basements can destroy irreplaceable personal items, photographs, and heirlooms. Most standard homeowners insurance policies exclude flood coverage, requiring separate flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program or private carriers. Homeowners in flood zones often pay $800 to $2,000 annually for adequate coverage.
For homeowners like Napier with valuable belongings, the discovery underscores the importance of inventory management and proper storage. Items kept in basements face particular risk during flooding events, especially in regions experiencing increased severe weather.
Napier's experience serves as a practical reminder for other homeowners to assess their flood risk, review insurance policies, and consider relocating irreplaceable items to upper floors or climate-controlled storage. Proper waterproofing, sump pump installation, and backup power systems can also reduce basement flood damage.
While Napier focused on the heartwarming discovery rather than the property damage itself, her situation reflects the real financial and emotional toll flooding inflicts on homeowners annually. The incident offers a bittersweet reminder that sometimes