Flood facts

Clean Water Services often receives inquiries about flooding because we protect water resources and help maintain the public drainage system. This information is a quick reference to help answer your questions.

Washington County and individual cities regulate development in the floodplain to minimize flood risk, and also to enable residents to qualify for flood insurance. The County and cities administer the national flood insurance program for FEMA. Unfortunately, some floodplains were developed before existing land use regulations and floodplain delineations and, therefore, are more prone to flooding.

Floods happen anywhere

Floods happen in towns and cities, in the mountains, along rivers—even in the desert! Floodplain maps help identify flooding risk and who qualifies for flood insurance, but the 100-year floodplain is often misunderstood. Within the 100-year floodplain, your risk of flooding is 1% or more in any year. Put another way, a home in the 100-year floodplain has a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage, which is about five times higher than the risk for a severe fire. Homes deeper in the 100-year floodplain have even greater risk of flooding.

• Visit the FEMA website to find out if you live in a floodplain
• Visit the Floodsmart website to calculate your flooding risk

Flood insurance

The best way to protect yourself from financial loss is to have flood insurance. Should you pay for flood insurance if you don’t live in a designated flood hazard area? Check out the cost benefit analysis.

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flooding. You don’t need to live in a floodplain to buy flood insurance. To find flood insurance, visit www.floodsmart.gov or call toll-free 1-888-435-6637.

Be prepared

Individuals need to be prepared to protect themselves and their property. When it floods, authorities are focused on protecting public safety and the public infrastructure (roads, bridges, utility lines, etc.).

Find out how to prepare for a flood and protect your loved ones at the links below.

• Washington County flood information
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood information
• National Weather Service Forecast local flood warnings

Emergency help

If you witness a flood-related threat to human safety, please contact the Office of Consolidated Emergency Management.

Sand bags

Clean Water Services is just one public agency that provides sand and sandbags free of charge to help residents protect their property from flooding. Get a complete list of emergency sand bag stations in Washington County.

Clogged storm drains

Clean Water Services and City crews maintain the public drainage system. Residents can help by keeping leaves and debris out of storm drains. If you need help, please call your City’s Public Works Department or Clean Water Services Field Operations at (503) 547-8100.