Pierce County Flooding Your property is in or near a flood hazard area. Do you know your home s flood risk? Are you prepared for flooding? Look inside and on the web for important flood information. In this flood bulletin: Get Ready, Stay Ready! Emergency contacts Flood insurance information On the Web: Flood risk maps of your property Flood warning system Flood updates Enter to win a weather radio Printed on recycled paper. Please recycle. For more information, scan here or visit www.piercecountywa.org/flood January 2009 - Puyallup Puyallup River Flooding River
Flood Warning System Go to www.piercecountywa.org/flood and click on Flood Warning System to view information on predicted and current flooding conditions on major rivers. Call the hotline at (253) 798-4274 for information during floods. For weather and flood information, use a weather radio, or go to www.wrh.noaa.gov/sew. Flood information will be broadcast on local TV news (KOMO 4, KING 5, KIRO 7, KSTW 11, or KCPQ 13) and local radio (KIRO 97.3 FM and KOMO 1000 AM). Flood evacuation orders generally provide residents at least one hour advance notice. PIERCE COUNTY ALERT! Sign up for the Pierce County Alert Program to get emergency alerts by phone, text message, email or TTY/TTD. Call (253) 798-7470 or go to www.piercecountywa.org/alert to sign up. Emergency Flood Information Wallet Card Cut out this card and put it in your wallet. It includes flood-related emergency information and contacts. Fill in your out-of-state emergency contacts. EMERGENCY FLOOD INFORMATION Pierce County Emergency Flood Information 24-hour hotline with flood updates (253) 798-4274 www.piercecountywa.org/flood Pierce County Emergency Operations Center Staffed 24/7 during emergencies (253) 798-7470 EMERGENCY CONTACTS Life-threatening emergencies............... 911 Sheriff (non-emergency).................... (253) 798-4721 National Weather Service................... (206) 526-6087 Official flood watches, warnings, and forecasts www.nws.noaa.gov Radio Emergency Alert (tune to)............ 710 AM (KIRO) FEMA....................................... 1-888-621-3362 Disaster help and resources www.fema.gov American Red Cross........................ (253) 474-0400 Disaster/emergency services (253) 474-0300 www.rainier-redcross.org National Flood Insurance Program.......... 1-888-379-9531 or call your insurance agent www.floodsmart.gov Pierce County Contact Information Pierce County Flood Information............ (253) 798-4274 24-hour hotline with updated flood information www.piercecountywa.org/flood Pierce County Emergency Management..... (253) 798-7470 www.piercecountywa.org/dem Pierce County Responds.................... (253) 798-4636 Report dumping or floodplain violation Report on-line: www.piercecountyresponds.org Pierce County Solid Waste................... (253) 798-2179 Information about removal/disposal of disaster debris www.piercecountywa.org/solidwaste National Weather Service www.nws.noaa.gov American Red Cross - Rainier Chapter (253) 474-0300 www.rainier-redcross.org National Flood Insurance Program 1-888-379-9531 www.floodsmart.gov Cut here Pierce County Surface Water Management.. (253) 798-2725 www.piercecountywa.org/swm Report Water Pollution...................... (253) 798-4274 Pierce County Planning & Land Services..... (253) 798-3739 Building, site development, zoning, and land use permits www.piercecountywa.org/pals If you live within a city or town, contact your local building department for permit information and to report violations.
New Documentary about the Flood Buy Out Program The flood buyout program allows Pierce County to purchase flood-damaged property from willing sellers by using Federal grants intended to reduce future flood losses. By moving people out of harm s way permanently, we can significantly reduce flood losses in our community. Troubled Waters: Landowner Experiences with Flood Buyout Program is a film shot in Pierce County about the flood buy-out program. To watch it online, go to www.piercecountywa.org/flood and click on Troubled Waters. Damaged property purchased through the flood buyout program Know Your Home s Flood Risk For a free floodplain map of your property, contact Surface Water Management at (253) 798-2725 or email pcwater@co.pierce.wa.us. Please include your parcel number or address in your request. To view your property s flood risk online: Go to www.piercecountywa.org; click on Online Services Click on About My Property; accept Terms of Use Select Search by parcel or address; enter your parcel number or address Click on Tell Me More next to Flood If you have questions about your property s flood risk, please contact Pierce County Planning and Land Services at (253) 798-3739 or email pcpals@co.pierce.wa.us. Development Requirements Pierce County has participated in the National Flood Insurance Program since 1974. The program requires that the county adopt and enforce minimum floodplain development regulations to reduce future flood risks. In return, the federal government makes flood insurance available for protection against flood losses. Most building, clearing, and excavation activities in Pierce County require a permit. Go to Pierce County Planning and Land Services for permitting information at www.piercecountywa.org/pals or call (253) 798-4639. To report potential illegal development, call (253) 798-4636. If you live in an incorporated area, please contact your city or town. County code requires that if the cost of repairs or improvements to a damaged building equals or exceeds 50 percent of the building s value, the activity is considered substantial improvement. This may require the building to be brought up to current development standards in order to reduce future flood risks. Contact Pierce County Planning and Land Services for more information. Keep storm drains, culverts, and roadside ditches clear of leaves and other debris to prevent flooding in your street. For more information about protecting your property, visit www.ready.gov/floods. Click on More Information for a list of free publications. Free map showing mapped floodplain on a parcel Protect Your Property Keep roadside ditches, culverts, and storm drains near your home clear of leaves, garbage, and other debris. It s illegal to dump debris into a river, stream, storm drain, pond, or other drainage system. Call (253) 798-4636 to report dumping. Move furnaces, appliances, electric panels, and other electronics above flood level. Keep materials like sand, plywood, plastic sheeting, and a sump pump on hand for use during flood events. Consider long-term flood protection measures, such as elevating your house or relocating. Avoid building new structures in flood-prone areas.
Nisqually River and Mt. Rainier Flooding in Pierce County Winter storms between November and March are responsible for most flooding in Pierce County. The areas most affected are near: Puyallup, Carbon, White, and Nisqually rivers Creeks such as Muck, Clover, Clear, and South Prairie Since 1962, major flooding has led to fifteen presidentially declared disasters in Pierce County. The frequency of flooding in Pierce County has led to multiple approaches to flood management. The rivers in Pierce County behave differently than many other rivers in Western Washington. Most major rivers in Pierce County start from glaciers on Mt. Rainier. Glacial rivers carry up to 13 times more sediment than other non-glacially fed rivers. As these rivers flow out of the mountains and reach the flat valley floors, their speed decreases, allowing the sediment, rocks, sand and gravel to settle out in the river channel. Managing this unique system is a challenge in Pierce County. Natural Benefits of Floodplains A floodplain is the area that stores water during a flood event. Not only do undeveloped floodplains reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of high water flows, they provide other year-round benefits. Floodplains provide fertile soil for farming, habitat for fish and wildlife, and scenic areas for recreation. They also provide erosion control during high flows and filter pollutants for better water quality. Historically, development regulations did not restrict building in floodplains. Consequently, existing development in floodplains is at risk during floods. Over the years, Pierce County has purchased and acquired properties in floodplains, permanently reserving these areas to reduce flood hazards and improve fish and wildlife habitat. Planting trees along Ohop Creek Flood Control Zone District Flood Plan Update On April 3, 2012, the Pierce County Council authorized the creation of a Flood Control Zone District to address flood hazards throughout the county. Members of the County Council serve as the Board of Supervisors of the district. A 15-member advisory committee advises the Board of Supervisors. It consists of representatives from several cities, unincorporated Pierce County, a business association, the Port of Tacoma, and the County Executive. To learn more, visit: www.piercecountywa.org/fczd Pierce County Rivers Flood Hazard Management Plan Volume I Pierce County Rivers Flood Hazard Management Plan Pierce County Executive Proposal August 2012 Pierce County Surface Water Management completed the Rivers Flood Hazard Management Plan. It will guide how flooding and channel migration hazards on major rivers, large tributaries, and associated floodplains are managed. It is a comprehensive approach to reduce damages and protect public safety from major river flooding and channel migration. In September 2012, the proposed Flood Plan and Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) were brought to the County Council for consideration. To learn more, visit: www.piercecountywa.org/floodplan.
Get Ready, Stay Ready! Before a Flood: Prepare Know if you are in a flood-prone area. For a free map showing the flood risk on your property, call (253) 798-2725 or email pcwater@co.pierce.wa.us. Buy flood insurance. Visit www.floodsmart.gov or contact your insurance agent. Develop an emergency plan for your family, farm, or business. Know several safe routes from your home, school, or business to high ground. Establish meeting places in case family members are separated. Designate an out-of-state contact to call if local lines are busy or down. Assemble an emergency kit. For more information, visit www.piercecountywa.org/dem. For emergency pet sheltering services, contact PCART at (253) 798-6595. Move vehicles, equipment, livestock, and pets to higher ground. Store valuables and household chemicals above flood levels. Ensure underground storage tanks are fully sealed and secure. Get sand and sandbags ahead of time and learn how to use them. During a Flood: Be Safe Do not walk, wade, or drive through flooded areas. Monitor local news for emergency updates. Be prepared to evacuate. If you are advised to evacuate, do so immediately. If your car stalls in a flooded area, abandon it and walk to safety in the direction you came from. Follow recommended evacuation routes - shortcuts may be blocked. If you are unable to safely leave a building due to rising water, call 911. Then, move to a higher floor or the roof. Take warm, weatherproof clothing, a flashlight, a cell phone, and a battery or solar powered radio. If you have time before evacuating, close your main gas valve and turn off all utilities at the main power switch. Do not touch any electrical equipment unless it is in a dry area. After a Flood: Use Caution Listen to local news, and only go home when authorities say it s safe. Before re-entering your home, be cautious of potential structural damage, gas leaks, electrical shorts, and live wires. Have a professional check your heating, electrical panel, outlets, and appliances for safety before using. Call utility companies to have utilities turned back on. For safe clean up of food, water supply, and property, visit www.tpchd.org. Document your losses. Photograph damages and record repair costs. Contact your insurance agent for flood loss claims. Mark the highest point where water was in your home or damaged structure. Pump-out flooded basements gradually (about one-third of the water per day) to avoid structural damage.
Important Information about Flood Insurance Did you know Pierce County residents can get up to a 40 percent discount on flood insurance? Flood insurance is the only sure way to be reimbursed for flood losses. The standard homeowner or business insurance policy does not cover damage caused by flooding. To protect your property, you must buy a flood insurance policy. An elevation certificate may be required to purchase flood insurance. Contact Pierce County Planning and Land Services to find out if one is already on file. November 2007 Federally backed mortgages require that homes within a FEMA designated flood hazard zone have flood insurance in order to protect the mortgage investment. Property owners and renters in unincorporated Pierce County can receive up to a 40 percent discount on annual flood insurance premiums. There is a mandatory 30-day waiting period on all new flood insurance policies. Call 1-888-379-9531 or go to www.floodsmart.gov for a list of local agents. Use the site s One-Step Flood Risk calculator to rate your flood risk, estimate premiums, and find an agent. November 2006 The average flood insurance premium in Pierce County is $526 per year. Flood insurance policies generally cover structures. Coverage for contents is optional. Contact your insurance agent to help you choose the right policy for your property. Document your property and belongings before flooding occurs. Federal disaster assistance is available only if the President declares a disaster. Typically, assistance is a loan that must be repaid with interest. For a $50,000 loan at 4 percent interest, your monthly payment would be $240 a month ($2,880 a year) for 30 years. Compare that to a $100,000 flood insurance premium, which is about $400 a year ($33 a month). Being outside the designated flood hazard zone does not ensure you won t flood. On average, 25 to 30 percent of all flood insurance claims are for property outside designated flood zones. Win A Weather Radio Weather radio raffle on December 10, 2012! Go to www.piercecountywa.org/flood and click on the link win a free weather radio. Enter your name, contact information, and whether you have flood insurance. We will not use the information you submit for any other purpose or share it with other parties. Only residents in unincorporated Pierce County are eligible. During the Flood Emergency Flood Supplies 1. Monitor local news for emergency updates. 2. Do not walk or drive through flooded areas - unseen hazards can be deadly. Monitor local road conditions and obey road closure signs. January 2009 Out-of-State Emergency Contact Name and Phone Number(s) 1. Battery or crank-operated radio and extra batteries 2. First aid kit/supplies 3. Prescription medicine 4. Whistle to signal for help 5. Copies of important documents in plastic bag 6. Flashlight and extra batteries 7. 3-day supply food and water 8. Clothing, blankets, boots 9. Hygiene and sanitation supplies 10. Cash (ATMs won t work without electricity. Small bills are best)