The National Flood Insurance Program El Paso County Public Meeting Erin May, NFIP Bureau & Stats Agent FEMA Region VIII, Regional Manager

History of Disasters in El Paso County, CO 1965: Tornados, Severe Storms & Flooding – Presidential Declaration 1969: Severe Storms & Flooding – Presidential Declaration 1973: Heavy Rains, Snowmelt & Flooding – Presidential Declaration 1976: Severe Storms & Flash Flooding – Presidential Declaration 1989: Wildfires – Local 1990: Tornado – State 1993: Flooding – Local 1995: Wildfires – Local 1995: Flooding/Landslides – State 1997: Snow Emergency – State 1999: Colorado Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides & Landslides – Presidential Declaration 2001: Severe Weather – Presidential Declaration 2007: Snow – Presidential Declaration 2012: Wildfires – Presidential Declaration 2013: Flooding – Presidential Declaration

Wildfires affect flood risk Wildfires cause increased potential for flash flooding and debris flow due to:  Vegetation loss  Route of water changes & higher velocities  Hydrophobic Soil-glazed Spring/Summer thunderstorms produce highest risk for flooding  The time to prepare and protect your home is now! The Wildfire Exception to the 30 day waiting period has ended. Buy at least 60 days before spring/summer flood risk.

Flood Insurance Basics Purchase through a local insurance agent, find an agent familiar with flood insurance by:  Using floodsmart.gov Agent Locator  Contacting the NFIP at (888) to request an agent referral Property owners and renters CAN get flood insurance:  If they live in a high-flood-risk area  If they live in a moderate-to-low-risk area  If their house has been flooded before  If their mortgage company doesn’t require it  From their local insurance agent

Flood Insurance Basics Most homeowners policies do not cover flooding Flood Insurance is available to homeowners and business owners Coverage limits:  Homeowners - $250,000 building and $100,000 contents (Renters can insure contents for up to $100,000)  Nonresidential - $500,000 building and $500,000 contents  Most will qualify for policy that costs less than $500/yr. Good peace of mind Durango Area Flooding 2010

What is covered Walled and Roofed Structures  Building and foundation – buildings under construction can get a policy  Debris removal  Up to 10% for detached garages Contents – contents coverage is a separate policy! Various exceptions – see Summary of Coverage Very limited coverage for basements and enclosures Clean-up & foundation are covered Basements-contents NOT covered, covered on 1 st floor above ground Actual Cash Value vs. Replacement Cost Value

Definition of a flood A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area or two or more properties(at least one of which is the policyholder’s property) from:  the overflow of inland or tidal waters;  unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface water from any source; or  mudflow; or  collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or similar body of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels that result in a flood as defined above

Public Information Resources FloodSmart.gov (flood insurance information; find an agent) – Floodsmart Agent Referral Regional Flood Insurance Specialists Charlie Jackson Erin May

Q & A I don’t want to see this happen to your house!