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We must accept responsibility for damage caused by flooding

Once again, Wisconsin is suffering significant flooding. Was this predictable? Yes. It can be expected periodically and has occurred several times the past 15 years.

Is flooding increasing? Yes.

Why?

1) Rainfall patterns are changing. Average yearly rainfall might remain fairly constant, but rains are occurring through more intense, less frequent storms. For instance, 12 inches of rain fell near Lake Delton in 1993, causing Devil’s Lake to overflow for the first time. Last summer, intense storms caused major flooding, dam failures and community devastation in the same areas as this year, such as Gays Mills.

2) Development converts land and forests to rooftops and big parking lots and alters the watersheds, so less water soaks in and more runs off into our streams and rivers, thus increasing flood heights.

3) We manage development for yesterday’s flood, not tomorrow’s flood. Because of the changing factors noted above, flood heights will increase. New flood maps will likely show higher flood levels. Communities must use current data. Property owners must know their true risk and build accordingly. There is flood risk beyond that relatively common, small 100-year floodplain shown on a map. Those who lost their homes in Lake Delton might have been above the 100-year flood level, but they were not safe from a larger storm. Every property is subject to a variable risk of flooding; it just depends on how high the flood must be to affect them.

What can you do to protect your life and property?

After the floodwater recedes, communities and property owners consider what they can do to reduce the loss of life or property from the next flood.

1. Do not drive through floodwater. This causes the most deaths from floods! Just 6 to 12 inches of moving water will carry away people and vehicles.

2. Know your flood risk. If your property might ever be flooded, know how to evacuate. Buildings and possessions can be replaced, but life is precious and cannot.

3. Develop wisely and avoid building in floodplains. Next best is to elevate structures above expected (future) flood levels—this not only protects the structure but makes flood insurance cheaper.

4. Buy flood insurance. Anyone, anywhere, can buy flood insurance if their community joins and complies with the minimal requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program, so insist that your community does. Public safety is a primary community responsibility, and flood safety is no different than fire or police safety.

5. Don’t push floodwater on other people’s property when you build or when you protect your home during rising water. That is not a good neighbor policy and might create liability for you.

Remember, the federal government cannot prevent flooding or make us whole after a flood. Only by accepting personal and community responsibility will we reduce the adverse impacts of flooding.

Larry Larson is executive director of the Association of State Floodplain Managers, a professional nonprofit organization; phone (608) 274-0123; e-mail Larry@floods.org; Web site www.fooods.org. He has 40 years of professional experience working with the 20,000 flood-prone communities, the states, federal agencies and the private sector.