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The City of Eagle Flood Protection Q&A Q. What is Eagle’s role in relation to the flood insurance program? A. The City of Eagle participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) under the guidelines of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) www.fema.gov. This program allows residents of our community to purchase flood insurance that is underwritten by the Federal Government. The City of Eagle also participates in the Community Rating System (CRS) program. The City has copies of the Flood Insurance Rate maps, Flood Study Data and serves as a repository for all revisions to the maps. Q. What are the causes of flooding in Eagle? A. Flooding in our city is caused by two sources: Dry Creek and the Boise River. These waterways can leave their banks during heavy storms, snowmelt or ice jams. Floodwater can cover streets and yards over many blocks and may also flood cars, garages, basements and lower floors. Flooding in both areas can come with little warning. Floods are dangerous. Even though the waterway appears to be moving slowly, six inches of moving water can knock a man off his feet and two feet can float a car. Your property may be high enough that it was not flooded in recent years. However, it can still be flooded in the future because the next flood event may be worse. If you are in the floodplain, the odds are that someday your property will be damaged. Below are some ideas of what you can do to protect yourself. Q. What can I do to protect myself from flooding? A. City Flood Services: The first thing you should do is check your flood hazard. Flood maps and flood protection references are available at the Eagle Public Library. You can also call or visit the P&Z Department at City Hall to see if you are in a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). If so, they can give you more information, such as depth of flooding over a building's first floor and past flood problems in the area. If requested, the P&Z Department will visit a property to review its flood problem and explain ways to stop flooding or prevent flood damage. To schedule an inspection, call the P&Z Department at 939-0227. ---PAGE BREAK--- What You Can Do: Several of the City's efforts depend on your cooperation and assistance. Here is how you can help: Drainage: • Do not dump or throw anything into the ditches or streams. Even grass clippings and branches can accumulate and plug the channels. A plugged channel cannot carry water and when it rains the water has to go somewhere. All accumulations of trash contribute to flooding. • If your property is next to a ditch or stream, please keep the banks clear of brush and debris. • If you see dumping or debris in the ditches or streams, contact the Ada County Sheriff's Office at 377-6790. Permits: • Always check with the P&Z Department before you build on, alter, re-grade, or place fill on your property. A permit may be needed to ensure projects do not cause problems on other properties. • If you see building or filling being placed without a City permit posted, contact the P&Z Dept. at 939-0227. Flood proofing: There are several different ways to protect a building from flood damage. One way is to keep the water away by re-grading your lot or building a small floodwall or earthen berm. These methods work if your lot is large enough, if flooding is not too deep, and if your property is not in the floodway. The P&Z Department can provide this information. Another approach is to make your walls waterproof and place watertight closures over the doorways. This methods is not recommended for houses with basements or if water will get over two feet deep. Many houses, even those not in the floodplain, have sewers that back up into the basement during heavy rains. A plug or standpipe can stop this if the water doesn't get more than one or two feet deep. They can be purchased at a hardware store. For deeper sewer backup flooding, talk to a plumber about overhead sewers or a backup valve. These measures are called flood proofing or retrofitting. More information is available at the Eagle Public Library. Important Note: Any alteration to your building or land requires a permit from the City of Eagle; including any development in the Special Flood Hazard Area. If you know a flood is coming, you should shut off the gas and electricity and move valuable contents upstairs. It is unlikely you will get much warning, so a detailed checklist prepared in advance would help ensure that you don't forget anything. Flood Insurance: If you don't have flood insurance, talk to your insurance agent. Homeowner's insurance policies do not cover damage from floods. However, because Eagle participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, you can purchase a separate flood insurance policy. This insurance is backed up by the Federal Government and is available to everyone, even for properties that have been flooded. ---PAGE BREAK--- Some people have purchased flood insurance because the bank required it when they got a mortgage or home improvement loan. Usually these policies just cover the building's structure and not the contents. During the kind of flooding that happens in Eagle, there is usually more damage to the furniture and contents than there is to the structure. If you are covered, check out the amount and make sure you have content coverage. Remember: Even if the last flood missed you or you have done some flood proofing, the next flood could be worse. Flood insurance covers surface floods and has a maximum value of $250,000. Flood Safety: Do not walk through flowing water. 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. Do not drive through a flooded area. More people drown in their cars than anywhere else. Don't drive around road barriers; the road or bridge may be washed out. Stay away from power lines and electrical wires: The number two-flood killer after drowning is electrocution. Electrical current can travel through water. Report downed power lines to Idaho Power Company at 388-2323 or the City Emergency Management Office 489-8777. Have your electricity turned off by the Power Company: Some appliances, such as television sets, keep electrical charges even after they have been unplugged. Don't use appliances or motors that have gotten wet unless they have been taken apart, cleaned, and dried. Look out for animals, especially snakes: 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. Look before you step: After a flood, the ground and floors are covered with debris including broken bottles and nails. Floors and stairs that have been covered with mud can be very slippery. Be alert for gas leaks: Use a flashlight to inspect for damage. Don't smoke or use candles, lanterns, or open flames unless you know the gas has been turned off and the area has been ventilated. Report natural gas leaks to Intermountain Gas at 377-6840. Important Phone Numbers: City of Eagle P&Z Department- 939-0227 City of Eagle Emergency Management Office- 489-8777 Ada County Sheriff's Office- 377-6790 Idaho Power- 388-2323 Intermountain Gas- 377-6840