Wildfires Increase Flood Hazards

More than 81,640 Californians who live in the seven counties declared a Federal disaster area after the wildfires in October 2007 have NFIP flood insurance. This is good news, because these policyholders may need extra peace of mind during the rainy season this winter.

During the lifetime of a 30-year mortgage, people who live in floodplains are much more likely to experience a flood than a fire. California policyholders who survived the October fires may experience both catastrophes.

"Californians know firsthand that, when wildfires burn off hillside vegetation, flooding and mudflows may not be far behind," said State Coordinating Officer Henry Renteria of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services. "Reduced vegetation lessens the amount of rainwater the burn areas can absorb and destabilizes hillsides. After intense or prolonged rains, the risk of flooding and mudflows increases. Destabilization during and after intense and prolonged rains puts residents at increased risk of danger to persons and property," he added.

Fortunately, 518 California communities participate in the NFIP. Of those, 13 percent (68) are part of the Community Rating System (CRS), an incentive program designed to reward flood mitigation activities by providing residents discounts on annual NFIP premiums. Additional information about California communities participating in the NFIP is available through the NFIP Community Status Book page of the FEMA website. Information about California communities participating in the CRS is presented in the CRS section of the NFIP Flood Insurance Manual .