Homeowners urged to get flood insurance

ROSEBURG, Ore. – The Roseburg Community Development Department encourages local homeowners and other building owners in or near flood zones to make sure they have sufficient flood insurance and take other steps to protect their properties this spring.

Homes and other buildings located in a Special Floodplain Hazard Area are designated as “high risk” to experience flooding and such buildings that also have government-backed mortgages are required by their lenders to buy flood insurance, which is not covered by most homeowners’ or non-residential building insurance.

However, the Community Development Department and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourage even homeowners and other building owners without current mortgages to talk with their insurance agent about flood insurance to help protect their investment and community-wide recovery in the event of a flood.

“Helping private developers build to current FEMA floodplain standards keeps the City of Roseburg in good standing with the National Flood Insurance Program. Being in good standing with the program can help to create a lower floodplain insurance premium for all those residents who purchase flood insurance,” said Roseburg Community Development Department Director Stuart Cowie.

Currently, 1,405 buildings -- including single- and multi-family homes, as well as non-residential commercial, industrial, government/institutional and even public park space -- are considered high risk because they’re located in Roseburg’s Special Floodplain Hazard Area along the South Umpqua River, Deer Creek or Newton Creek. However, only 173 of those buildings – or 12.3% -- are protected with flood insurance, said Roseburg’s Floodplain Administrator Mark Moffett, who’s also a senior City planner.

Additional properties sit close enough to the floodplain area to be considered “moderate risk” for flooding every 100 to 500 years. Community Development Department staff will reach out directly to property owners in high-risk flood zones to encourage them to buy flood insurance that will help minimize risk and loss during possible flooding.

"We are approaching almost 30 years now without a major flooding event in Roseburg, but it is inevitable that our creeks and rivers will one day flood again. More property owners having flood insurance will help Roseburg recover and rebuild as quickly as possible if there is a flood,” Moffett said.

Property owners inside city limits can benefit from a 15% discount off full-risk National Flood Insurance Program policies because the City works hard to maintain Roseburg’s Class 7 rating and is among only 19 Oregon cities that qualify under FEMA’s Community Rating System. Communities earn city-wide discounts through such activities as public information campaigns, mapping, regulations, flood-damage reduction, warning and response.

Property owners, homebuyers, renters, realtors and insurance agents can quickly determine where their building lies in relation to the flood zones and search for other floodplain information or related documents needed for flood insurance purposes by using the Community Development Department’s new, interactive Floodplain Information Map.

Flooding can occur in any location where rain or snow falls – not just in high-risk flood areas, according to FEMA’s floodsmart.gov. About 40% of flood insurance claims under the National Flood Insurance Program involve properties with low- to moderate-risk. Unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff from surface waters can make properties vulnerable to flooding. Renters living on a ground floor should note renters’ insurance doesn’t typically cover flooding, reports FEMA. Flood insurance usually requires a 30-day wait period before taking effect.

Wildfires and drought increase flood risks, and one inch of floodwater could cause $25,000 in damage, according to FEMA. Remember, disaster assistance may be limited or unavailable if flooding occurs. While federal disaster assistance is only available if the president declares a disaster, flood insurance protects homes even if a disaster is not declared.

FEMA and the City recommend people with homes or businesses in or near flood zones take the following action BEFORE a flood occurs:

• Take steps to protect your home or business, family and financial security throughout the year;

• Take extra precautions when flooding is predicted in Roseburg;

• The best way to protect your home, business and belongings from flood damage is to buy flood insurance beforehand;

• Know your flood risk: Check out the City’s interactive Floodplain Information Map or use FEMA’s online Flood Map Service Center;

• Schedule an “insurance check-up” with your insurance agent to make sure you have the right coverage and amounts;

• Store documents in a safe, dry place: Keep original birth certificates, passports, medical records and insurance papers in a watertight safety deposit box. Keep copies in a safe, dry place.

• Take a household/business inventory: Take photos and videos of all your major household items and valuables. Keep photo/video copies in a safe place so you can use them if you need to fill out an insurance claim;

• Minimize potential flood losses by elevating and anchoring utilities, clearing gutter debris and waterproofing your basement;

• When flooding is predicted, move furniture and valuables to a safe place, such as an attic or the highest floor;

• When flooding is imminent, your first priority should be the physical safety of you, loved ones or employees, and pets. Stay alert by monitoring local news and weather reports and sign up for local emergency alerts;

• Create a communication plan to use during a power outage;

• National Flood Insurance policyholders are eligible for up to $1,000 to buy loss-avoidance supplies such as tarps, sandbags and water pumps when flooding is imminent or predicted. Labor, moving and storage expenses also are covered.

Learn more: floodsmart.gov/first-prepare-flooding

For questions about development or residential/commercial improvements within the floodplain, contact the Roseburg Community Development Department at 541-492-6750 or cdd@cityofroseburg.org. For questions about getting flood insurance or existing insurance policies, contact your insurance provider.