Flood Safety
Floodwater is more dangerous than it looks:
- 6 inches of moving water can knock over an adult.
- 1 foot of moving water can carry away a small car.
- 18-24 inches can sweep away large vehicles.
Protect yourself and others
The best way to protect yourself and others from a flood is to know your flood risk and what to do in case of emergency. FEMA names three major steps to follow to be flood-smart:
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Prepare now
- Know your flood risk.
- Sign up for local alerts.
- Create a family emergency action plan.
- For guidance on how to prepare for a flood, check out our Know Your Flood Risk flyer pdf.
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Survive the flood
- Turn off electricity and gas before evacuating, if possible.
- TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN! Avoid walking, swimming, or driving through water.
- Get to higher ground to stay above rising floodwaters.
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Be safe after the flood
- Wait for official clearance to return home.
- Watch for bacteria, mold, gas leaks, electric shock, and wildlife.
- Use flashlights—NOT open flames—to check for damage.
- Visit the FEMA Be Safe When Returning to Flooded Home web page for additional post-flood guidance.
Probability of future occurrence
Flooding in Mesa County is likely to happen yearly, even on a small scale. Mesa County uses historical flood data to guide:
- Community flood mitigation efforts
- Resilience-building initiatives
Explore our Hazard Mitigation Plan for more information on local areas and infrastructure at risk of flooding.
2020 Mesa County Hazard Mitigation Plan public review (compressed).pdf
Protect your property
Flooding causes more property damage every year in the United States than any other type of natural disaster. There are several cost-effective techniques for decreasing or eliminating flood exposure, including:
- Elevating buildings and appliances or relocating out of flood-prone areas
- Using sandbags or flood barriers to block water entry
- Floodproofing or retrofitting a structure (e.g., installing flood vents, storing valuables in watertight containers)
Document everything!
The best way to make sure your property is protected post-flood is by proactively purchasing flood insurance. To file a claim efficiently and effectively, FEMA encourages you to:
- Keep receipts and insurance information updated
- Take photos and videos of your home, valuables, and appliances
- Keep samples or swatches of carpeting, wallpaper, furniture upholstery, and window treatments, if possible
For guidance on how to start an NFIP claim, visit the FloodSmart website.
The Association of State Floodplain Managers’ Reduce Flood Risk website contains a wealth of information on different flood mitigation strategies for homeowners. The site’s 10+ filters can help you find the strategy best suited to you and your home. For more information on how to prepare for a flood, visit the FloodSmart website.
Retrofits
Retrofitting is any change made to an existing structure to reduce or eliminate the possibility of damage to that structure from flooding or other hazards. There are many ways to retrofit your property to make it flood-resilient, including:
- Improve drainage with proper grading, use of downspouts, and installation of drainpipes so rainwater drains away from the structure.
- Raise your structure so that the lowest floor is above the flood level.
- Elevate utilities and appliances (e.g., air conditioning units, electrical switch boxes) or protect them by building a floodwall around them.
Flood Protection for Your Home or Business brochure.pdf
How to Select a Contractor.pdf
Did you know?
The Mesa County Floodplain Management Program makes home visits to help identify ways to make your property more resilient to flooding. Review the Know Your Flood Risk flyer and email the Mesa County Floodplain Administrator Carrie Gudorf to learn more and schedule a visit.