FEMA urges Colo. to consider flood insurance

April 09-- Apr. 9--Coloradans have gotten used to summer skies that are hazy with smoke from wildfires around the state each summer.

Unfortunately, they've also learned about the flooding and mudslides that can follow when summer rains hit fire-blackened mountain slopes and ash-filled water spills down into towns and mountain homes.

"Wildfires are the disasters that just keep on giving," said Matt Buddie, of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's flood-insurance program. "After the fire, comes the flooding, and we want people to be ready for the worst."

It was only 10 months ago that the Spring Creek Fire erupted near La Veta and burned over 100,000 acres of mountain forest.

That's one reason why Buddie and a FEMA team are at community meetings in Walsenburg, Canon City and surrounding cities: to remind residents to get flood insurance before they need it.

"There's a 30-day waiting period before the insurance takes effect, so it's important not to wait too long if you're in the way of any flooding from a burn scar," Buddie said.

Though the National Flood Insurance Program is more than 50 years old, many people don't think about flooding until it's too late.

Flood insurance can pay up to $250,000 to replace or repair a home and $500,000 for a commercial building. Contents can also be insured.

Homeowners and property owners can get the insurance through their usual provider or call FEMA at 800-427-4661.

Insurance policies can be as little as $350 a year for a home.

"A rule of thumb is you're looking at about $25,000 in damage for every quarter inch of water standing in your house," Buddie said.

It takes close to 10 years for a burned area to regrow enough vegetation to hold down soil to prevent flooding.

Most people identify FEMA as the disaster-assistance agency. In this case, it is trying to be the disaster-prevention agency, too, Buddie said.

"It's an evolving situation. We've had an increase in wildfires in recent years -- and that leads to more flooding afterwards," said Brian Hvinden, a FEMA spokesman. "We're trying to educate people before they need us."

proper@chieftain.com

Twitter:@RoperPeter

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