FEMA says residents living in wildfire burn areas are at risk of flash floods
03 December 2019
Published by https://krcrtv.com
USA – REDDING, Calif. — As winter weather conditions continue to make their way through the Northstate, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is advising certain residents in Shasta County to purchase flood insurance.
FEMA says wildfires and related loss of vegetation leave the ground charred and unable to absorb water. This creates ideal flood conditions that could last for several years after a wildfire.
The state agency says homeowner and renter policies do not normally cover flooding, with flood insurance being a separate policy.
In a press release, they say floods are the most common and expensive natural disaster in the U.S. Even a small amount of rain can cause major damage to homes and businesses. Just one inch of water in an average-sized home can cause more than $25,000 in damage.
This means homeowners like Bruce Muller who live in Whiskeytown are at risk. FEMA says residents impacted by this year’s Mountain and Cottage fires, along with the 2018 Carr and Delta fires, are still at risk of flash floods and mudflows.
Muller has lived at his house on the hill for the past three years and says they have already started taking preventative measures.
” We have planted a lot of trees. We planted 41 trees this last weekend and the more trees, the more vegetation in the ground, the more firm the ground gets,” said Muller.
Muller says their land management company has started spreading seeded hay across surrounding hills to increase vegetation growth.
According to FEMA flood, insurance policies usually take 30 days to go into effect. With the winter weather and rain the Northstate has seen, they suggest homeowners take action sooner rather than later.
