4 minute read
Be Ready If Flooding Strikes
Emma Macek
Emma Macek is a public information officer in the DNR’s Office of Communications.
Spring showers can bring May flowers, but they also bring an increased risk of flooding in Wisconsin.
As snow is melting with increasing temperatures, spring storms are typically ramping up. According to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, nearly 90% of flood events in Wisconsin in the last five years were caused by heavy rain combined with snow melt.
This dangerous duo can raise water levels and strain storm water systems, including in urban areas and properties not in floodplains.
As floodwaters rise, so do risks to human health and safety. Floodwaters and associated runoff can contaminate water supplies, destroy homes and other property, and even cause death.
In 2023, 77 people were killed in the United States due to flooding. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, just 1 inch of water can cause an average of $25,000 in damage to a home or business.
The aftermath of flooding is also a problem, said Andy Buehler, director of the Kenosha County Division of Planning and Development.
“Besides the fact of being displaced from a person’s home, the big problem comes in afterward from the mold that develops in the home,” Buehler said. “That is an unhealthy environment where all that (moldy material) has to be ripped out and replaced.”
The devastation of floods shows how important it is to be prepared, said Sarah Rafajko, the DNR’s floodplain management program coordinator.
“You can’t always necessarily prevent a flood event from happening, but you can be prepared for it — to help you recover more quickly and more completely,” Rafajko said.
Team Effort
Flooding is one of the most common and costly natural disasters in Wisconsin. Prevention, preparation and response are collaborative efforts among federal, state and local agencies.
The DNR maintains model floodplain zoning ordinance language, which communities can use to implement regulations that help minimize flood damage. It is up to local municipalities to oversee building codes, issue any permits, handle relocation or elevation of structures in a floodplain and create plans to reduce flood susceptibility.
The DNR also helps manage Wisconsin Emergency Management and FEMA grant programs that can help offset the costs of community flood mitigation. And DNR floodplain staff assist communities in joining the National Flood Insurance Program, a federally backed initiative.
Wisconsin, along with some other states, have higher standards than the federal floodplain minimums, which has helped lower the flood risk in our state.
Most homeowner or renter insurance policies do not cover flood damage, so Wisconsinites should consider flood insurance, even if they don’t live in a floodplain. According to FEMA, 40% of federal flood insurance claims involve properties outside of floodplains.
It is important to know that homeowners, business owners and renters outside of special flood hazard areas, or floodplains, are eligible for insurance. Learn more at floodsmart.gov
Ready to find your flood risk? Type your address into the FEMA Flood Map Service Center website, msc.fema.gov/portal/home. The tool will show you if you are in or near a floodplain.
Prepare When Skies Are Blue
Follow a few tips to help reduce the effects of possible flooding.
• Consider purchasing a flood insurance policy.
• Keep an eye on the weather. The National Weather Service provides alerts on potential flooding events.
• Secure belongings during flood events to avoid damage and injuries to yourself and others. Move essential items to an upper floor, if available.
• Avoid floodwaters. Standing water can hide many dangers, including toxins and chemicals. There may be sharp objects, or the road underneath could have collapsed.
• Turn around, do not drown! Do not enter floodwaters. Just 12 inches of moving water can move a car, and 6 inches of moving water can knock an adult off their feet.
• If flooding occurs, dry out your home as soon as possible to prevent mold. Wear goggles, a long-sleeved shirt, protective gloves, boots, long pants and a respirator mask to protect yourself.
• If you live in a recently flooded area and your water is from a private well, learn about the recommendations for private wells inundated by flooding on the DNR website.
• Know what food is safe to eat, how to care for pets and livestock and how to protect farm fields during floods with resources from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
