The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently issued a flood warning to the state of California. El Niño conditions are being anticipated this fall and winter, with noticeable and developing activity along California’s coast and mountains.
FEMA is not alone in urging people to buy flood insurance. In a recent editorial, TheReporter.com urged readers to purchase flood insurance. From that editorial:
“Solano County residents would do well to listen. We are in an area of the state very susceptible to flooding, much like the heavy rains and winds that wreaked havoc in 2005 and 2006. That’s why the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is calling for all residents to buy flood insurance, even those who don’t live adjacent to rising creeks and rivers.
“Weather experts have been tracking this El Nino for some time and believe it is going to bring significant storms in the coming months.
“Forecasters say that January, February and March could offer the brunt of the pounding rainfall — similar to that quick one-hour preview a few Sundays ago but in a much longer duration — that will cause flooding, mudslides and other damage. The recent mudslide on Interstate 5 near the Grapevine in southern California also means there is more ahead…. The time to act is now.”
El Niño is expected to bring large and strong low pressure systems throughout the western part of the country, resulting in heavy rains.
While the rain is a welcome change for California, particularly among its most drought-stricken areas, there are fears that the heavy showers could lead to flooding. Earth that has been parched by drought usually cannot hold as much water as regular soil since dry earth has a consistency closer to non-porous rocks. Such surfaces often cause massive runoffs of storm water, leading to floods.
"If there was ever a time to buy flood insurance, this is the time," urged Roy Wright, FEMA deputy associate administrator for insurance and mitigation.
FEMA is well aware that it is difficult to get everyone to purchase flood insurance, but the agency warned that those who do not, could end up with large repair bills or could even lose their homes without hope for recovery.
Linda Lam, meteorologist for weather.com, said that while it is great to be prepared for flooding, it is ultimately impossible to determine with full accuracy which areas will be affected.
"El Niño is expected to play an important role in this winter's weather and the forecast is for wetter than average conditions for much of California, with southern California seeing the highest chance of above-average precipitation. Some drought relief is likely, but the details of how much rain will fall in what period of time and where are uncertain," she said.
