Flood Season Is Here

Spring rains and summer thunderstorms can bring flooding to Arvada. Flooding impacts people in a variety of ways, including flood insurance, property damage, and safety issues.

Flood Insurance
Until the late 1960s, most property owners were unable to get insurance coverage against flood damage because private insurance firms, aware of the potential for catastrophic losses, were unwilling to assume the financial risk alone. This put the burden on taxpayers to provide costly disaster relief to a growing number of flood victims.

In 1968, Congress addressed this issue by creating the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This Federal program provides flood insurance at a reasonable cost in exchange for the careful management of flood-prone areas by local communities. Nearly 20,000 communities across the United States and its territories participate in the NFIP by adopting and enforcing floodplain management ordinances to reduce future flood damage. In exchange, the NFIP makes Federally backed flood insurance available to homeowners, renters, and business owners in these communities. Arvada receives a 20% discount on flood insurance premiums for its residents.

There are approximately 1,500 structures in Arvada located in the 100-year floodplain, yet only approximately 540 of these have flood insurance.

Floodplain Facts You Should Know

If your property is in a floodplain, there is a 26% chance of experiencing a flood during the life of a 30-year mortgage compared to a 4% chance of a fire.

You can find out if your property is located in a floodplain by calling the City of Arvada Engineering Division at 720-898-7646. If your property is in a floodplain, you are still eligible for flood insurance. Arvada has Flood Insurance Rate Maps, published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which are available for public inspection at City Hall.

Generally, there is a 30-day waiting period from the time a policy is purchased until you are covered, with the following exceptions: If you have an existing flood insurance policy and the coverage is increased; when flood insurance is required as a condition of a loan; and when an additional amount of flood insurance is required as a result of a flood map revision.

Flood insurance is required by law in some instances. To get federally secured financing to buy, refinance, build, repair, reconstruct or improve structures in Special Flood Hazard Areas, you may be required to purchase flood insurance. This includes most types of mortgage loans, as well as FHA and VA loans.

Even if your property is not in an identified floodplain, you can still purchase flood insurance at a reduced premium. You would then be covered against flooding from localized conditions such as clogged inlets or irrigation ditches.

For more information on flooding and flood insurance:

View www.floodsmart.gov.

If you have questions regarding Arvada’s floodplains, you can contact the City’s Engineering Division at 720-898-7640.

Homeowners, realtors, lenders, and insurance agents can obtain photocopies of floodplain maps at Arvada City Hall, Engineering Division, 2nd Floor, 8101 Ralston Road.

How Arvada Works to Prevent Flooding

Each spring and after major rainfalls, the City inspects all creeks and drainageways, removing any accumulated debris to keep the channels clear. If you see debris or other problems in the creeks or drainageways, please contact the City Streets Division at 720-898-7720. For inlet and storm sewer maintenance, call the City Wastewater Division at 720-898-7770. Maintenance of irrigation canals is the responsibility of the canal company.

Property and Safety Issues

Floods are the most common and widespread of all natural hazards. Some floods develop slowly, but flash floods can happen in just minutes. Flood prone areas have been identified in 267 cities and towns and in all of the 64 counties in Colorado. The City of Arvada is no exception. Both Ralston and Van Bibber Creeks course through the middle of Arvada and both creeks are associated with 100 and 500 Year Flood Plains.

Flash Flood Facts

• In the western United States, the soil is generally dry, sandy and unable to absorb large amounts of water. Heavy rains from showers and thunderstorms can quickly fill dry stream and riverbeds, sending torrents of water downstream.
• The Big Thompson River flood killed 140 people in 1976. It proved a tragic illustration of a sobering statistic: 95% of those killed in flash floods try to outrun the waters along its path rather than climbing to higher ground to escape the flood waters.
• The flash flood that affected the City of Fort Collins the summer of 1997 showed clearly that floods in Colorado cites can be very dangerous. This event cost the lives of five people and caused many millions of dollars in property damage.
• Fast-moving water is extremely powerful. The result can be deadly to anyone in the water's path. The force of flash flood waters can be extremely dangerous to motorists who unwittingly or unknowingly drive over water-covered roads.
• 80% of flood deaths occur in vehicles, and most happen when drivers make a single, fatal mistake trying to navigate through floodwaters.
• Just six inches of rapidly moving floodwater can knock a person down.
• A mere two feet of water can float a large vehicle—even a bus.
• One-third of flooded roads and bridges are so damaged by water that any vehicle trying to cross stands only a 50% chance of making it to the other side.

What to Do in Case of Flash Flood

• There may be no time for a warning to be issued. You may have only seconds to escape. It could be a life-and-death decision for you and your family. If you suspect a flash flood is about to happen immediately climb to higher ground.
• Avoid walking through any floodwaters. If it is moving swiftly, even water six inches deep can sweep you off your feet.
• If you are in a car and come to a flooded area, do not attempt to drive through any water where you cannot clearly see the roadway. Often, a roadway has been washed out and this would be invisible to a driver. If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground. Many deaths have resulted from attempts to move stalled vehicles.
• Preparedness is the key to protecting you and your family. The following steps will help you prepare for a flood emergency:
• Awareness of the danger of flooding is the first step.
• Discuss flood dangers with your family and what each of you would do if faced with a flood emergency.
• Prepare a disaster supply kit (72 hour-kit) for each member of your family in case you have to evacuate.
• Plan your evacuation route if you have to leave your neighborhood due to flooding.
• Obtain flood insurance if your home is in a flood plain

For further information contact Arvada’s emergency manager Jim Lancy at 720-898-7510 or jlancy@arvada.org.

(Sources: Colorado Office of Emergency Management, American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)