FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program

California experienced a staggering 17 major wildfires in 2021.

After a wildfire, charred soil and burnt vegetation cause greater risk of flooding and mudflow for five years or more. Flood damage after fire is often more severe.  Dangerous mudflows may occur when rainwater moves across barren ground, picking up soil and sediment and carrying it in a stream of floodwaters.

This means home and business owners don’t need to protect themselves just against the risk of the next wildfire, but also from the flash flood and mudflow risk the last wildfire season brought to your state.

This is why the (Federal Emergency Management Agency) FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is promoting the importance of flood insurance to financially prepare for Flood After Fire in California. FEMA is encouraging residents to protect the lives they’ve built with flood insurance. Because there’s typically a 30-day wait before a policy goes into effect, it’s important to get coverage now, since floods are the most common and costly natural hazard in the nation.

Here are a few educational resources, including:

• Infographic
• Why Do I Need Flood Insurance Brochure
• 15-second educational video on mudflow
• FloodSmart.gov/wildfires