The National Flood Insurance Program El Paso County Public Meeting Erin May, NFIP Bureau & Stats Agent FEMA Region VIII, Regional Manager 720-377-9337.

The National Flood Insurance Program

El Paso County Public Meeting

Erin May, NFIP Bureau & Stats AgentFEMA Region VIII, Regional Manager

[email protected]

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)379-9531 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 1st 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)

• 1-800-427-2419 – Floodsmart Agent Referral • Regional Flood Insurance Specialists

Charlie Jackson

[email protected]

Erin May

720-377-9337

Q & A

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