Flood Safety

My Fellow Washingtonians --

For generations, floods driven by extreme weather, coastal storms, and spring snowmelt have posed a serious threat to the safety and property of Washington state residents and businesses. In the last four years alone, thousands of Green River area residents have been forced to rebuild their homes and communities after devastating floods. So called "100-year floods" have submerged Interstate 5, a key artery for Washington state commerce, three times in the last 20 years.

The National Weather Service predicts no change in the trend toward higher-than-average rainfall and cold temperatures, which deepen the mountain snowpack and increase the risk of spring flooding. And according to the Washington State Department of Ecology, global climate change will cause stronger storms with heavier precipitation and higher wave conditions, all of which increase the frequency and extent of flooding in communities across Washington state.

Awareness of the risks is important for all property owners, no matter where they live. Flooding can be caused by broken levees, clogged drainage systems, heavy rains, and even tsunamis and the damage is not always confined to river basins or coastal areas. In fact, more than a quarter of flood in insurance claims occur in areas outside an identified Special Flood Hazard Area. Flood awareness and preventative practices are essential for homeowners and businesses to mitigate the financial and emotional tolls of these natural disasters.

My office is committed to providing Washingtonians the information they need to prepare for the possibility of flood damage and to explain the resources available if your property is damaged. Flooding is both the most common and costly form of natural disaster. But with preparation and awareness, you can minimize cost of damages. The array of federal resources available to help is extensive, but not always easy to find or navigate. If you are having trouble identifying the right agency to contact after a flood, or obtaining assistance from a federal agency after a disaster, please contact one of my offices. My staff will be able to provide more information about support services and assist you through the application process.

Safety
Flood Insurance
Assistance After a Flood

Safety and Prevention

Protecting your family and property before a flood:There are a number of preventative actions you can take to protect your home, family and personal property from a flood.

Heed flood warnings
Develop a family emergency plan and identify flood evacuation routes from home, work, and school to safe locations on higher ground
Assemble an emergency supply kit that includes such essentials as drinking water, a first-aid kit, canned food, a radio, flashlight, and blankets
Teach all family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water lines
Determine an emergency contact
Store important objects and papers in a safe place to avoid damage
Elevate your home to prevent floodwaters from reaching living areas. There are several methods of elevation that depend largely on your home's construction, foundation, and flood history. You should consult a construction professional to determine the right method for you.
Elevate your electrical system components including circuit breaker boxes, meters, and outlets. If they are inundated by water for even a short time, they will have to be replaced. Flooded electrical systems are also at risk for fires caused by short circuits.
Anchor your fuel tank to prevent damage from tanks moved by floodwaters. Unanchored tanks can be driven into walls or swept downstream. A supply line can be torn free, allowing oil to contaminate your basement. Leaking propane is especially dangerous due to its flammable nature.
Floodproof your home by sealing your basement with water resistant compounds
Find out where you can purchase sandbags, or make and store your own

In addition to undertaking these measures, you should strongly consider buying a flood insurance policy. Flood insurance is the best way to protect your home and family from devastating financial loss. Even if you live in a flood hazard area, most homeowners insurance does not cover flooding damages. For more information, please visit the flood insurance page of my website.

During a flood:

Go to higher ground and avoid areas subject to flooding such as dips, valleys, and canyons
Avoid areas that are already flooded and do not attempt to cross flowing streams. Even six inches of water can knock you off your feet.
Never drive through flooded roadways. Two feet of rushing water can sweep a large car off the road.

After a flood:

Check for structural damage before re-entering your home, including downed electrical lines
Remove wet contents immediately. Mold can develop in furniture, bedding and carpeting within 24 to 48 hours.
Clean and disinfect everything that was touched by floodwaters. Throw away food and boil drinking water until authorities have declared tap water safe to drink.

Flood insurance

Benefits of Flood Insurance: Flooding causes an average of $4.6 billion a year in damages, more than any other severe-weather related event in the United States. Flood losses are not covered by standard homeowner's insurance policies.

Most homeowner's insurance agents sell flood insurance, and if your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, you can apply for a policy. You can find out if your community participates in the program by checking the FEMA Community Status Book for Washington State. The average flood insurance premium costs about $400 a year.

National Flood Insurance Program: Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to help property owners protect themselves financially. The program offers insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners in communities that participate in the program. In exchange for federally-backed flood insurance, participating communities agree to adopt and enforce floodplain management standards. Community participation is voluntary, and to find out if your community participates, please check the FEMA Community Status Book for Washington State.

In addition to providing insurance, the NFIP identifies and maps floodplains throughout the country. This allows the government, business owners, and homeowners to identify risk areas, reduce damages and increase awareness of flood hazards.

If you are a resident of a designated High-Risk Area and you receive a federally-backed mortgage, federal law requires that you purchase flood insurance. Your mortgage lender will notify you if you are in a flood hazard zone that requires you to purchase flood insurance.

Residents of Moderate-to-Low Risk Areas are not required by law to purchase insurance but are well advised to do so, and a private lender may still require it. To determine if you are in a flood zone, you can check your community's Flood Insurance Rate Map at the FEMA Map Service Center. Your lender will notify you if you are buying a home in a High-Risk Area or if FEMA maps are revised to include your property in a High-Risk Area, in which case you would be required to purchase insurance.

NFIP flood insurance can be purchased through property insurance agents through over 90 private companies. You cannot purchase insurance directly from the government. Rates are set and do not differ between companies, although there are different types of coverage and the costs vary depending on the property's flood risk.

If you are interested in purchasing a flood insurance policy, contact your homeowner's insurance agent to discuss what kind of coverage is right for you. Typically, there is a 30-day waiting period before your policy goes into effect, which means that you must act to protect your property and family in advance of any flood threat.

If you do not have an agent and would like to obtain more information about flood insurance policies, please visit the NFIP website. You can also contact the NFIP at (888) 379-9531 to request an agent referral.

Assistance after a flood

Significant federal resources are available to help you in the aftermath of natural disasters. Assistance is administered in the form of direct aid or grants to individuals, families, and businesses who have suffered losses that will not be covered by insurance.

If your community experiences a flood, it does not automatically qualify for federal disaster assistance. Local and state governments share the responsibility for protecting their residents. However, if the damages caused by a natural disaster overwhelm local governments, a state governor may request a Presidential Disaster Declaration. Washington has received eight Disaster Declarations in the past decade, of which five were related to flooding.

Please keep in mind that federal disaster assistance is intended to be supplemental relief and should never be treated as a replacement for flood insurance. The average disaster award for an individual and household is $4,000, whereas the average flood claim per household is over $30,000. The most common form of disaster assistance is a loan, which must be paid back with interest.

If you are interested in obtaining more information about disaster assistance, you can visit the federal disaster assistance website. By using the tools on this website, such as the disaster assistance questionnaire, you can find out the forms of assistance you may qualify for.


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Maria's E-Newsletter To sign up for Maria's newsletter, enter your email address: Search The Site	Constituent Services Flood Safety My Fellow Washingtonians -- For generations, floods driven by extreme weather, coastal storms, and spring snowmelt have posed a serious threat to the safety and property of Washington state residents and businesses. In the last four years alone, thousands of Green River area residents have been forced to rebuild their homes and communities after devastating floods. So called "100-year floods" have submerged Interstate 5, a key artery for Washington state commerce, three times in the last 20 years. The National Weather Service predicts no change in the trend toward higher-than-average rainfall and cold temperatures, which deepen the mountain snowpack and increase the risk of spring flooding. And according to the Washington State Department of Ecology, global climate change will cause stronger storms with heavier precipitation and higher wave conditions, all of which increase the frequency and extent of flooding in communities across Washington state. Awareness of the risks is important for all property owners, no matter where they live. Flooding can be caused by broken levees, clogged drainage systems, heavy rains, and even tsunamis and the damage is not always confined to river basins or coastal areas. In fact, more than a quarter of flood in insurance claims occur in areas outside an identified Special Flood Hazard Area. Flood awareness and preventative practices are essential for homeowners and businesses to mitigate the financial and emotional tolls of these natural disasters. My office is committed to providing Washingtonians the information they need to prepare for the possibility of flood damage and to explain the resources available if your property is damaged. Flooding is both the most common and costly form of natural disaster. But with preparation and awareness, you can minimize cost of damages. The array of federal resources available to help is extensive, but not always easy to find or navigate. If you are having trouble identifying the right agency to contact after a flood, or obtaining assistance from a federal agency after a disaster, please contact one of my offices. My staff will be able to provide more information about support services and assist you through the application process. Safety Flood Insurance Assistance After a Flood Safety and Prevention Protecting your family and property before a flood:There are a number of preventative actions you can take to protect your home, family and personal property from a flood. Heed flood warnings Develop a family emergency plan and identify flood evacuation routes from home, work, and school to safe locations on higher ground Assemble an emergency supply kit that includes such essentials as drinking water, a first-aid kit, canned food, a radio, flashlight, and blankets Teach all family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water lines Determine an emergency contact Store important objects and papers in a safe place to avoid damage Elevate your home to prevent floodwaters from reaching living areas. There are several methods of elevation that depend largely on your home's construction, foundation, and flood history. You should consult a construction professional to determine the right method for you. Elevate your electrical system components including circuit breaker boxes, meters, and outlets. If they are inundated by water for even a short time, they will have to be replaced. Flooded electrical systems are also at risk for fires caused by short circuits. Anchor your fuel tank to prevent damage from tanks moved by floodwaters. Unanchored tanks can be driven into walls or swept downstream. A supply line can be torn free, allowing oil to contaminate your basement. Leaking propane is especially dangerous due to its flammable nature. Floodproof your home by sealing your basement with water resistant compounds Find out where you can purchase sandbags, or make and store your own In addition to undertaking these measures, you should strongly consider buying a flood insurance policy. Flood insurance is the best way to protect your home and family from devastating financial loss. Even if you live in a flood hazard area, most homeowners insurance does not cover flooding damages. For more information, please visit the flood insurance page of my website. During a flood: Go to higher ground and avoid areas subject to flooding such as dips, valleys, and canyons Avoid areas that are already flooded and do not attempt to cross flowing streams. Even six inches of water can knock you off your feet. Never drive through flooded roadways. Two feet of rushing water can sweep a large car off the road. After a flood: Check for structural damage before re-entering your home, including downed electrical lines Remove wet contents immediately. Mold can develop in furniture, bedding and carpeting within 24 to 48 hours. Clean and disinfect everything that was touched by floodwaters. Throw away food and boil drinking water until authorities have declared tap water safe to drink. Flood insurance Benefits of Flood Insurance: Flooding causes an average of $4.6 billion a year in damages, more than any other severe-weather related event in the United States. Flood losses are not covered by standard homeowner's insurance policies. Most homeowner's insurance agents sell flood insurance, and if your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, you can apply for a policy. You can find out if your community participates in the program by checking the FEMA Community Status Book for Washington State. The average flood insurance premium costs about $400 a year. National Flood Insurance Program: Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to help property owners protect themselves financially. The program offers insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners in communities that participate in the program. In exchange for federally-backed flood insurance, participating communities agree to adopt and enforce floodplain management standards. Community participation is voluntary, and to find out if your community participates, please check the FEMA Community Status Book for Washington State. In addition to providing insurance, the NFIP identifies and maps floodplains throughout the country. This allows the government, business owners, and homeowners to identify risk areas, reduce damages and increase awareness of flood hazards. If you are a resident of a designated High-Risk Area and you receive a federally-backed mortgage, federal law requires that you purchase flood insurance. Your mortgage lender will notify you if you are in a flood hazard zone that requires you to purchase flood insurance. Residents of Moderate-to-Low Risk Areas are not required by law to purchase insurance but are well advised to do so, and a private lender may still require it. To determine if you are in a flood zone, you can check your community's Flood Insurance Rate Map at the FEMA Map Service Center. Your lender will notify you if you are buying a home in a High-Risk Area or if FEMA maps are revised to include your property in a High-Risk Area, in which case you would be required to purchase insurance. NFIP flood insurance can be purchased through property insurance agents through over 90 private companies. You cannot purchase insurance directly from the government. Rates are set and do not differ between companies, although there are different types of coverage and the costs vary depending on the property's flood risk. If you are interested in purchasing a flood insurance policy, contact your homeowner's insurance agent to discuss what kind of coverage is right for you. Typically, there is a 30-day waiting period before your policy goes into effect, which means that you must act to protect your property and family in advance of any flood threat. If you do not have an agent and would like to obtain more information about flood insurance policies, please visit the NFIP website. You can also contact the NFIP at (888) 379-9531 to request an agent referral. Assistance after a flood Significant federal resources are available to help you in the aftermath of natural disasters. Assistance is administered in the form of direct aid or grants to individuals, families, and businesses who have suffered losses that will not be covered by insurance. If your community experiences a flood, it does not automatically qualify for federal disaster assistance. Local and state governments share the responsibility for protecting their residents. However, if the damages caused by a natural disaster overwhelm local governments, a state governor may request a Presidential Disaster Declaration. Washington has received eight Disaster Declarations in the past decade, of which five were related to flooding. Please keep in mind that federal disaster assistance is intended to be supplemental relief and should never be treated as a replacement for flood insurance. The average disaster award for an individual and household is $4,000, whereas the average flood claim per household is over $30,000. The most common form of disaster assistance is a loan, which must be paid back with interest. If you are interested in obtaining more information about disaster assistance, you can visit the federal disaster assistance website. By using the tools on this website, such as the disaster assistance questionnaire, you can find out the forms of assistance you may qualify for.
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