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SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) today commemorated California Flood Preparedness Week by encouraging residents to prepare for flood season.
“Extreme weather and natural disasters are a way of life in California,” stated Jon Ericson, acting chief of the state’s Division of Flood Management. “Taking the right steps now can mean all the difference to you and your family if flooding occurs.”
More than 7 million California residents are at risk of flooding, and many don’t realize it. Flooding happens throughout the state, from rural communities to urban areas, at the base of hills and along the coast. In fact, every California County has received a flood-related emergency declaration in the past twenty years.
This year many communities are at an extra risk for flooding because of wildfire damage. Flooding after wildfire is often more severe, as debris and ash left from the fire can form mudflows. These mudflows can cause considerable damage that is not covered by homeowner’s insurance, however if the mudflows are related to flooding then NFIP flood insurance may cover the damage. Please check with your insurance provider for details.
Be Flood Ready by following these steps:
- Talk to your insurance agent about buying flood insurance, or contact the National Flood Insurance Program for information. 1-800-427-4661 https://www.fema.gov/national-floodinsurance-program/How-Buy-Flood-Insurance
- Make an evacuation kit. Tips are available at: www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-foremergencies/make-a-plan
- Make an evacuation plan. Familiar routes may not be accessible during a flood.
- Stay informed during heavy storms.
- Don’t walk or drive through flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.
- More information is available at: https://www.ready.gov/floods
DWR also cautions the public not to wait if they are told to evacuate, as first responders may not be able to reach residents later.
The state, through DWR’s Emergency Rehabilitation Program, is coordinating with local, state and federal agencies to support repair and rehabilitation work on project levees damaged during the 2017 storm season. The state has committed $80 million to repair 30 critical sites this year, prepare designs for 10 more future sites, and jointly prepare contingency plans for 100 additional sites in preparation for this year’s rainy season.
Media seeking B-roll footage can visit: https://fts.water.ca.gov/owncloud/public.php?service=files&t=3631ee0c9b7913325c0aa03643a84345. We will post video footage of the event, to the same FTS link; please allow time for processing. Still photography can be found at DWR’s https://pixel-ca-dwr.photoshelter.com.
For more information on Flood Preparedness Week events, visit www.FloodPrepareCA.com Information about how to make an evacuation plan is available at: www.redcross.org/get-help/how-toprepare-for-emergencies/make-a-plan