For help contact:

Your local emergency management office

For more information

Federal

Federal Regional Center130 228th St. SWBothell, WA 98021-9796(425) 487-4610

State

Emergency Management DivisionWA Military DepartmentBuilding 20, MS: TA-20Camp Murray, WA 98430-5122www.wa.gov.wsem

Shorelands and EnvironmentalAssistanceDepartment of EcologyP.O. Box 47600Olympia, WA 98504-7600(360) 407-6000www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/floods

FLOOD

HAZARDS

Be aware

Be prepared

Publication #91-BR21

Are you ready for a flood?

� Flood insurance policy in a safedeposit box.

� Itemized list of personal property(furnishings, clothing, valuables),and photos of your house in a safedeposit box.

� Portable radio, emergency cookingequipment, and flashlights inworking order.

� A plan for the safest route fromyour home to high ground shouldyou have to evacuate in a hurry.

� Emergency food, water, andmedical supplies. Food shouldrequire little cooking and norefrigeration.

� Check valves in your sewer traps,to prevent floodwater frombacking up drains.

� Full tank of gas in your car.

� A supply of sandbags, plywood,plastic sheeting, and lumber whichcan be used to protect property.

Published by the Washington Department of Ecology,Shorelands and Environmental Assistance Program,

September 1991, revised July 2001. Photos by Tim D’Acci.Prepared with funds from the

Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Reduce flood hazards

The most effective way to reduce the risk ofdamage in flood hazard areas is to regulate

development. Inappropriate floodplaindevelopment forces rivers to cut a wider swathduring flood stage. Paving reduces the absorptioncapacity of the soil, and buildings and otherstructures raise the level of flood waters by blockingthe flow.

Regulation is accomplished through a permittingsystem. Before developing in the floodplain youmust obtain a floodplain development permit fromyour local government. Most building, filling,grading, dredging, paving, mining, and otherdevelopment activity requires a permit. Thisprocedure gives community officials a chance toevaluate the increased risk from additionaldevelopment in that particular flood hazard area.Flood proofing or elevating the structure may berequired for permit approval.

One way to reduce damage to your home orbusiness is by flood proofing. There are many

ways to flood proof a structure such as elevating, oradding small levees and floodwalls or flood shieldsfor doors and windows. You may need to talk to anengineer about your options.

Get flood insurance

Your regular homeowner’s policy does notlikely cover losses due to floods. However, you

can only buy flood insurance if your community isparticipating in the National Flood InsuranceProgram (NFIP). In order for a community to enroll,it must agree to regulate development in floodhazard areas.

Under the NFIP, you can insure your building andits contents from flood damage. See a localinsurance agent for more details.

If your community is not enrolled in the NFIP, youcannot obtain federal or federally insured loans forconstruction or acquisition of buildings in a floodhazard area. These loans are available only toproperty owners with flood insurance. If you havequestions about your community’s enrollment,contact your local planning department.

Do you live in a hazard area?

Floods normally occur in the low-lying areasadjacent to streams and rivers. When a river

overflows its banks, these floodplains hold thewater, storing it until it moves downstream orpercolates through the soil. This natural eventreplenishes ground water, reduces the speed offlood waters, and revitalizes soils by depositingsediment.

When floodplains are developed, the naturalprocess of flooding takes on a menacing aspect.Unfortunately, many of Washington’s flat andfertile floodplains have been thickly settled. Everyyear, buildings are damaged in Washington’s floodhazard areas.

Your community building or planning departmenthas maps which show if your property is in amapped floodplain. Find out if you live in alegally-defined hazard area.

Flood Insurance Rate Map; shaded areas are subject toflooding. Maps are available at city/county offices.

Without flood insurance, even shallow flooding can befinancially devastating.

Before a flood

� Buy flood insurance! Lossesdue to goods are not coveredunder your regular homeowner’spolicy. Contact your agent abouteligibility for flood insurance,offered through the NationalFlood Insurance Program. Thereis a 5-day waiting period, so don’twait until the last minute toapply. Damages from a flood inprogress are not covered.

� Make an itemized list ofpersonal property, includingfurnishings, clothing, valuables.Take photos of the house, insideand out. This will help theadjuster in settling claims and willhelp prove uninsured losses,which are tax deductible.

� Keep your insurance policiesand a list of personal property in asafe place, such as safe depositbox. Know the name and locationof the agent(s) who issued thesepolicies.

� Keep a portable radio,emergency cooking equipment,and flashlights in working order.

� If your community has a floodwarning system, such as foghornor radio station, learn about it andhow it works.

� Learn the safest route fromyour home or place of business tohigh ground should you have toevacuate in a hurry. Practice itwith your family.

� Have emergency food, water,and medical supplies on hand.Food should require little cookingand no refrigeration.

� Install check valves in sewertraps to prevent floodwater frombacking up in sewer drains.

� Keep auto fueled; if electricpower is cut off, filling stationsmay not be able to operate pumpsfor several days.

� Keep on hand materials suchas sandbags, plywood, plasticsheeting, and lumber which canbe used to protect properties.Never stack sandbags directlyagainst outer walls of a dwelling!When wet, the bags create addedpressure on the structure.

During a flood

� Flood waters can rise rapidly,so prepare to evacuate beforewater reaches your property.

� Keep a battery-powered radiotuned to a local station, andfollow emergency instructions.

� Move to a safe area beforeaccess is cut off. If it is safe toevacuate by car, stock the car withnonperishable foods (like cannedgoods), a plastic container ofwater, blankets, first aid kit,flashlights, and dry clothing.

� Do not drive where water isover the road. Parts of the roadmay be washed out; you could bestranded or trapped.

� If your car stalls in a floodedarea, abandon it if safe to do soand climb to higher ground.Floodwaters can engulf andsweep away a car and itsoccupants. Many have died tryingto move stalled vehicles.

� If you’re caught in the houseby suddenly rising waters, moveto the second floor and, ifnecessary, to the roof. Take warmclothing, a flashlight, and aportable radio with you. Don’t tryto swim to safety; rescue teamswill be looking for you.

If time permits:

� Turn off all utilities at the mainpower switch and close the maingas valve if evacuating. Don’ttouch electrical equipment unlessit is in a dry area.

� Fill bathtubs, sinks, and jugswith clean water in case regularsupplies are contaminated.

� Board up windows or protectwith storm shutters or tape toprevent flying glass.

If you live in a flood hazard area, you should consider elevating your house. (Skagit County)

After a flood

� Wait until officials assure youthat flood danger is passed beforere-entering flooded areas.

� Before entering the building,make sure it is not in danger ofcollapsing. Air out to remove gas.

� When entering, use flashlights,not lanterns or torches, because ofthe possibility of gas. Turn the mainpower switch off. Don’t turn onlights or appliances until anelectrician has checked your system.

� Begin clean-up as soon aspossible. Open windows anddoors to dry out the building.Shovel out mud while it is stillmoist. Throw out perishablefoods. Scrub and disinfect walls,floors and household items.Clean, air out and dry clothing,rugs, and bedding.

� Pump a third of the water outof a flooded basement each day.Further structural damage canoccur by pumping water out tooquickly.

� Photograph damage and keeprecords of flood prevention andrepair activities. The informationwill be useful in settling insurance

claims and in reporting losses tothe IRS.

� Cover broken windows andholes in the roof or walls toprevent further weather damage.Temporary repairs are usuallycovered under your floodinsurance policy (subject to thepolicy deductible), so save receipts.

� Disinfect water for drinkingand food preparation until thepublic water system has beendeclared safe. To disinfect, boilvigorously for ten minutes, or mix

1/2 teaspoon of liquid commerciallaundry bleach with 2.5 gallons ofwater and let stand for fiveminutes before using. To removethe flat taste pour the water fromone container to another, or add apinch of salt.

� Hose off refrigerators, andother hard goods and keep for theadjuster’s inspection. To deodorizemajor kitchen appliances use onetsp of baking soda mixed with aquart of water. Dry and air partiallydamaged items; the adjuster willrecommend repair or disposal.

� Take wooden furnitureoutdoors, but out of directsunlight to prevent warping.Remove drawers and othermoving parts. Don’t pry openswollen drawers from the front;remove the backing and push thedrawers out.

� Remove mildew from drywood with a solution of 4 to 6tablespoons Tri-sodium Phosphate,1 cup liquid chlorine bleach, and 1gallon water.

� Clean metal at once, then wipewith a kerosene-soaked cloth. Acoat of oil will prevent iron fromrusting.

Don’t let your dream home become a nightmare -- find out if the land you are interested in is floodprone, before you buy. (Chehalis River, 1990)

Flood hazard areas are prone to mud slides and debris flow damage. (Whatcom County, 1983)