Contact: Linda Cook, Lane County Emergency Manager, 541-682-6744

Although most people aren't thinking about winter storms yet, Lane County officials got an early start discussing flood preparedness yesterday at the first of several meetings to come.

Officials were briefed by the National Weather Service and the Army Corps of Engineers and discussed everything from the weather outlook to sand bagging workshops as local agencies collaborated on flood preparedness efforts.

“It's always good to remember that we live in a flood basin and that every year is a good year to prepare for a flood,” said Linda Cook, Lane County Emergency manager.

Flood events can usually be predicted with the most reliable information being available from the National Weather Service two to three days in advance. Although the Army Corps of Engineers will be modifying flood control operations on dams this fall and winter to tend to spillway gate repairs, local officials are assured that the Corps will be keeping a close watch and, as always, will be working to minimize the potential for flooding as storms start arriving.

September is National Preparedness Month and local emergency preparedness officials offer the following tips to help residents think ahead about protecting their homes and businesses from a flood event.

There are different types of flooding that can affect your home or business, which is why it is important to look at a flood risk in a wider perspective. 

 Surface water flooding is caused by the volume of water falling or flowing onto the ground overwhelming storm water drainage systems. This type of flooding is usually short-term and associated with heavy down pours. River and stream flooding occurs when rivers and streams overflow their banks due to intense rainfall. Coastal flooding is caused by high tides and/or severe weather inundating the surrounding areas. 

You can find out whether you are in a flood prone area by locating your home or business on a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood map. To find the maps type “FEMA Map Service Center” in your Internet search tool or go to www.msc.fema.gov When you get to the website you can search for your address and either view or purchase the map.

It is important to pay attention to whether rivers and streams near your property flood regularly and to have strategies for keeping the water away from your property.

Consider Buying Flood Insurance to Protect Your Property
Homeowners' insurance does not cover flood loss, but most homeowners' insurance agents also sell flood insurance. Anyone can get flood insurance, even if you are located in an area not mapped as a floodplain, or even if you have never been flooded before. Contact your insurance agent for more information.

If you already have a flood insurance policy, make sure your premiums are paid in full.

• Check your home or business' drainage system. Maintaining the drainage system on private property is the owner's responsibility. Make sure your drainage system directs water away from your foundation and not on to your neighbor's property. Never discharge water over the side of a steep hill.

• Clean your gutters and downspouts. Check your gutters once a week during fall and winter. Just one wind or rainstorm can clog a well-flowing drainage system.

• Rake up leaves. Leaves clog drains, which can lead to flooding. Use a rake or pitch fork to clear the storm grates near your property of leaves and debris. To report a clogged catch basin, call your local public works department.

• Never block any part of a city or county's drainage system. Do not put leaves, dirt, grass clippings, or any materials in ditches, culverts, or drains. Doing so can cause flooding.

Check Your Property

Water is the most common cause of unstable slopes, landslides, and erosion. Check your property for signs of earth movement, such as leaning trees, or cracks in the soil and under sidewalks. If you have a problem, contact a soils engineer (see the Yellow Pages, under "Engineers-Geotechnical-Soils") to evaluate the situation.

In general, trees and plants with strong root structures help prevent soil erosion but do not prevent landslides.

Buy Sand and Sandbags Ahead of Time
Water and debris control aids (such as sandbags, sand, lumber and plywood) are inexpensive when compared to the protection received, and can be installed with normal household tools. Materials are readily available at your local home improvement stores, lumber yards and/or sand and gravel yard. Sandbags are also available for purchase online. To find vendors, just type “sandbags” in your online search tool.

Sandbags, when properly placed, will redirect storm and debris flows away from built structures.

Upcoming:  Watch for announcements for a sand-bagging workshop coming October 2.

Amber Fossen

Public Information Officer

Lane County Government

125 E. Eighth Ave.

Eugene, Oregon 97401

541.682.3718

541.359.9143 (cell)