Annual Flood Hazard Letter
Annual Flood Hazard Letter
Annual Flood Hazard Letter
Overview
The City of Salem features the Willamette River and smaller tributaries, streams that are susceptible to annual flooding events that pose threats to life and safety and cause significant property damage. The streams include Battle Creek, Cinnamon Creek, Claggett Creek, Clark Creek, Croisan Creek, Davidson Creek, Gibson Creek, Glenn Creek, Golf Creek, Jory Creek, Laurel Creek, Little Pudding, Mill Creek, Mill Race, Pettyjohn Creek, Powell Creek, Pringle Creek, Scotch Creek, Shelton Ditch, Waln Creek, and Winslow Creek. The City of Salem has over 5,000 acres of floodplain and approximately 3,000 individual parcels that are partially or entirely located within the floodplain. Salems flood events often occur when warm weather mixed with heavy rains melt snow at higher elevations and flood local streams.
December 2012
floodwaters rendered the sewage treatment plant inoperable, causing raw sewage to be channeled directly into the Willamette River. One hundred and twenty-one patients were evacuated from the Salem Memorial Hospital and 15 families in the Turner/ Salem area were evacuated from their homes. Since 1964, major storm events occurred in January 1974, February 1986, February 1996, November 1996, and January 2012. During the most recent event in January, some areas of South Salem received over nine inches of rain within a five-day period. Heavy rainfall combined with melting snow caused substantial flooding in the Battle Creek, Mill Creek, Pringle Creek, and Croisan Creek basins. Approximately 300 people were evacuated from their homes, and 64 City streets were closed due to high water. In February 1996, the Salem area saw nearly 100-year flood levels, causing flooding in both rural and urban areas. Damage to City businesses, residences, and infrastructure was tremendous, and most of the Citys residents were affected by the substantial impact on the transportation system, the loss of potable water, and the damage to personal property. Claims filed under FEMAs National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) from Salem residences and businesses accounted for almost one-third of the claims filed for Marion County in 1996. While the 1996 event was devastating to the entire region, the floods of 1861, 1890, and 1964 exceeded the 1996 events in terms of velocity and volume of water. These four major historical floods and the recent 2012 flood have been estimated to be nearly 100-year events, or Base Floods, and all within a time frame of about 150 years.
Before the floodwaters hit, develop an evacuation plan among all members of a household that includes a meeting place outside of the house as well as an escape route out of the floodplain and away from floodwaters.
Flood Insurance
Homeowner insurance policies do not cover damage from floods. However, because the City of Salem participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), federally-backed flood insurance is available for all structures within Salem, whether or not they are located within the floodplain. This insurance can be purchased through most insurance agents. More than 25 percent of NFIP claims are filed by owners of properties located outside the 100-year floodplain, also know as the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Following the purchase of flood insurance, the NFIP imposes a 30-day waiting period, so residents should purchase insurance before the onset of the rainy season to ensure coverage during the flooding season. Membership within NFIPand the availability of flood insurance to city residentsrequires the City to manage its floodplain in ways that meet or exceed standards set by FEMA. NFIP insures buildings with two types of coverage: structural and contents. Structural coverage includes walls, floors, insulation, furnace, and other items permanently attached to the structure, typically excluding basements. Contents coverage may be purchased separately to cover the contents of an insurable building. Flood insurance can pay a portion of the costs for actions taken to prevent flood damage. Federal financial assistance requires the purchase of flood insurance for buildings located within the SFHAa requirement that affects nearly all mortgages financed through commercial lending institutions. This requirement stipulates that structural coverage must be purchased that is equal to the amount of the loan or other financial assistance, or for the maximum amount available, which is currently $250,000 for a single family residence. While the mandatory flood insurance requirement has been in effect for many years, not all lending institutions enforced this requirement in the past. Today, however, most institutions require that flood insurance be purchased, and some are reviewing all mortgage loans to determine whether flood insurance is required. Upon refinancing a loan, nearly all lending institutions will enforce the mandatory flood insurance requirement. It is the lenders responsibility to check the Flood Insurance Rate Map to determine whether a structure is within the SFHA.
Drowning is the number one cause of flood deaths, mostly during flash floods. Currents can be deceptive; six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. If you walk in standing water, use a pole or stick to ensure that the ground is still there.
The mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement does not apply to loans or financial assistance for items that are not eligible for flood insurance coverage, such as vehicles, business expenses, landscaping, and vacant lots. Mandatory coverage is required only for insurable structures located within the SFHA; voluntary coverage is available at a reduced rate for structures located outside the SFHA. Persons owning property located within an SFHA who received disaster assistance after September 23, 1994, for flood losses to real or personal property must purchase and maintain flood insurance coverage; otherwise, future disaster assistance will be denied.
More people drown in their cars than anywhere else. Dont drive around road barriers; the road or bridge may be washed out.
The second most common cause of flood deaths is electrocution. Electrical current can travel through water. Report downed power lines to your local power company or the County Emergency Management Office.
Be prepared in advance with a detailed checklist because warning of an impending flood may provide little time for preparation prior to evacuation.
Small animals that have been flooded out of their homes may seek shelter in yours. Use a pole or stick to poke and turn things over and scare away small animals.
After a flood, the ground and floors may be covered with debris, including broken bottles and nails. Floors and stairs that have been covered with mud can be very slippery.
Use a flashlight to inspect for damage. Dont smoke or use candles, lanterns, or open flames unless you know that the gas has been turned off and the area has been ventilated.
When flooding spreads out across the floodplain, its energy is dissipated, which results in lower flood flows downstream, reduced erosion of the stream bank and channel, deposition of sediments higher in the watershed, and improved groundwater recharge. Floodplains are scenic, serve as valued wildlife habitats, and are suitable for farming. Poorly planned development in floodplains can lead to stream bank erosion, loss of valuable property, increased risk of flooding to downstream properties, and degradation of water quality.
The Emergency Information link on the Citys website at www.cityofsalem.net is activated. This link provides the same information as Flash News. ODOTs Highway Alert Radio system is activated ({for} all floods {that} affect traffic). A custom message is transmitted throughout the Salem area and Tune to 1650 when flashing signs throughout the area are activated. A text scroll on CCTV, Comcast, and other TV stations is played. When needed, a news conference or regional Joint Information Center meeting is held.
A plugged channel cannot carry water, and when it rains, the excess water must go somewhere. Trash and vegetation dumped into a stream degrade water quality of both the stream itself and its receiving waters, Floodplains are a and every piece of trash natural component contributes to flooding. of the environment. The City has adopted and enforces regulations that prohibit the dumping of material into any natural or man-made component of the drainage system. Please report any observations of the dumping of debris or other objects into streams, drainage-ways, or rivers to City of Salem Community Development Compliance Services at 503-588-6421.
Keep banks clear of brush and debris to help maintain an unobstructed flow of water in stream channels. Do not, however, remove vegetation that is actively growing on a stream bank. Streamside vegetation is tightly regulated by local, state, and federal regulations. Before undertaking any removal of streamside vegetation, contact the City of Salem Community Development Planning Division at 503-588-6256 x 7427 and the Division of State Lands at 503-986-5200. Please report any observations of the clearing of vegetation or trees on stream banks to City of Salem Community Development Compliance Services at 503-588-6421.
The City regulates the floodplain in order to protect property and lives, while affording city residents the ability to obtain flood insurance.
City of Salem
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2. Flood Insurance Rate Map Zone for the property. 3. Base Flood Elevation for property, if available. 4. Whether the property is located within the floodway.
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2. Federal Emergency Management Agency Phone: 425-487-4600 Web: www.fema.gov/nfip 3. City of Salem Public Works Department Development Services Phone: 503-588-6211 Web: www.cityofsalem.net/departments/ publicworks/administration/developmentservices 4. City of Salem Public Works Department Emergency Information Phone: 503-588-6211 Web: www.cityofsalem.net/Emergency-Information 5. City of Salem Community Development DepartmentPlanning Division Phone: 503-588-6173 Email: planning@cityofsalem.net Web: www.cityofsalem.net/departments/ communitydevelopment/planning
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10. National Marine Fisheries Service Phone 206-526-6150 www.nmfs.noaa.gov 11. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Phone: 503-808-4510 Web: www.usace.army.mil
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1. City of Salem Internet Home Page www.cityofsalem.net The Floodplain link describes general floodplain information similar to that described in this publication. The Library Department link connects to the Citys library website, where significant flood information can be found using the various search tools.
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6. Salem Public Library (Houses floodplain publications and other floodplain information) Phone: 503-588-6052 or 503-588-6301 Web: www.cityofsalem.net/departments/library 7. Division of State Lands Phone: 503-378-3805 Web: www.oregon.gov/dsl 8. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Phone: 503-872-5268 Web: www.dfw.state.or.us
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1. Whether the property is located within the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).
Certified floodplain managers, building inspectors, and stormwater maintenance personnel on City staff are available, upon request, to make site visits to review flood, drainage, and sewer issues. For further information and prior to undertaking any activity within the floodplain, please contact City of Salem Public Works Development Services at 503-588-6211. To report local flooding, contact Public Works Dispatch at 503-588-6333.
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The City can determine the relationship of a particular property to the floodplain, including:
Contact City of Salem Public Works Development Services at 503-588-6333 for further information.
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This product is provided as is, without warranty. In no event is the City of Salem liable for damages from the use of this product. This product is subject to license and copyright limitations and further distribution or resale is prohibited.
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Dear City of Salem Resident: City records show that your property is located within or near the regulatory floodplain; the City of Salem sends this annual outreach letter to inform and educate residents and owners of properties near the floodplain. The regulatory floodplain is established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) based on the land area which has a one-percent or greater chance of flooding each year. The City continues to improve and increase its circulation of and accessibility to information that pertains to the floodplain, in an effort to better educate and to assist its citizens developing and living in the floodplain. Please take the time to read the information enclosed, and if you have further questions, or would like additional information, a variety of contact information has been supplied at the end of this document.
Si necesita ayuda para comprender esta informacin, por favor llame 5035886211. If you need help understanding this information, please call 503-588-6211.
PAID