Press OfficeU.S. Department of Homeland Security500 C Street, SWWashington, DC 20472

Talking PointsBE PREPARED FOR EL NIÑO

El Niño poses a serious threat to communities across the country. El Niño can lead to increased rainfall and flooding in certain parts of the nation and can

also lead to an increase in tornado activity. Many areas in the United States—particularly in the West and South—are at increased

flood risk from El Niño as a direct result of drought and wildfires. Extreme drought creates ground that cannot easily absorb rainwater, increasing the possibility of flash flooding. Large-scale wildfires can dramatically alter the landscape and ground conditions, which increase the risk of flooding within the burn and downstream areas.

The best time to prepare for disasters is before they occur. FEMA created an El Niño resources page that provides the best and most current

information and resources needed to be ready for El Niño. www.fema.gov/el-nino FEMA is closely monitoring the anticipated impacts of El Niño. We’re in close contact

with our federal partners, like NOAA, who help us understand the potential severity of weather conditions. FEMA also, though our regional offices, coordinates with state, local, and tribal officials to ensure they have the resources they need to prepare for the consequences of events like El Niño.

BUY FLOOD INSURANCE

Now is the time for Americans to take steps to protect themselves from the effects of El Niño and we encourage everyone to take the threat seriously.

We urge Americans to seriously consider getting flood insurance. If there ever was a year to buy flood insurance, this is it. Flood insurance is a powerful way to protect you and your family from one of the most common and costly disasters we face and it is not covered by standard homeowner insurance policies.

You need to be aware of a couple things:o You can’t get flood insurance at the last minute. In most cases, it takes 30 days

for a new flood insurance policy to go into effect. So get your policy now. o Only Flood Insurance Covers Flood Damage. Most standard homeowner’s

policies do not cover flood damage. o Get all the coverage you need. Your agent can walk you through the policy.

Know your flood risk. Visit FloodSmart.gov (or call 1-800-427-2419) to learn more about individual flood risk, explore coverage options and to find an agent in your area.

Flood insurance covers flood, but there are other affects from flooding that may apply to you (e.g. sinkholes, etc). Speak to your agent.

o You can purchase flood insurance no matter your flood risk. It doesn't matter whether your flood risk is high or low, you can buy flood insurance as long as your community participates in the NFIP.

o A flood does not have to be a catastrophic event to bring high out-of-pocket costs, and you do not have to live in a high-risk flood area to suffer flood damage.

ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE TO BE PREPARED

There are a number of steps individuals and families can take to better prepare themselves for El Niño and associated flooding to reduce their risks of property loss.

Take time to familiarize yourself with resources on Ready.gov to know what to do before, during, and after a disaster.

If you live on tribal lands, Ready.gov has a specific section “Ready Indian Country” dedicated to preparing for disasters on tribal nations.

These include developing a family communications plan, putting an emergency kit together, keeping important papers and valuables in a safe place, and investing in flood insurance.

o Complete a family communication plan. Get together with your family, agree on the ways to contact one another in an emergency, and identify meeting locations.

o Plan Ahead. If you are in an area at risk, plan evacuation routes.o Keep important papers in a safe, waterproof place. Conduct a home inventory;

itemize and take pictures of possessions.

FEMA PREPAREDNESS ACTIVITIES IN THE WEST

FEMA’s Region IX office in Oakland, CA has established an El Niño Task Force with the mission of preparing the Region and its partners for the impact of El Niño.  The task force is evaluating the core capabilities needed to protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from any flooding that occurs across the region this winter. The Task Force will evolve over the coming months to include other federal, state, and private sector partners.

FEMA Region IX is currently assisting the City of San Francisco in developing its tabletop exercises for San Francisco Super Bowl events. El Niño impacts are being incorporated in the exercise design.

Many Tribal Nations within Region IX are located in geographic areas that are at risk of severe impacts due to flooding. FEMA, the BIA, Cal OES, NVDEM, AZDEM and the NWS are hosting a series of El Niño preparedness webinars targeted to tribal nations. The purpose of these webinars are to provide tribal nations with the latest weather information and tools that will help them identify critical core capabilities and prepare for the impacts of a potential El Niño related event.

www.fema.gov

FEMA Region IX is working with the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Service, Division of Emergency Management to conduct a series of outreach events to tribal nations in preparation for El Niño effects. Of particular note, FEMA Region IX traveled with the BIA and State of Arizona to the Havasupai Indian Reservation to discuss flooding since they are located in the Grand Canyon.

El Niño preparation a multifaceted, multilevel effort undertaken by many government agencies and organizations to help communities be better prepared. It is not just a FEMA endeavor. We are one part of the effort.

QUESTION & ANSWERS/IF ASKED

What about mudslides?We urge everyone to speak to an agent before purchasing or renewing their flood insurance to learn about what may or may not be covered by their policy. Whether the flooding results from flowing water or other causes such as spring thaw or a sewer back up can make a big difference.

Is FEMA going to deploy to California to support the state? What is FEMA doing to be helpful now?

FEMA is closely monitoring the anticipated impacts of El Niño. We’re in close contact with our federal partners, like NOAA, who help us understand the potential severity of weather conditions. FEMA also, though our regional offices, coordinates with state, local, and tribal officials to ensure they have the resources they need to prepare for the consequences of events like El Niño. However, individuals play a key role in their own preparedness, and the resources that might be required of states and tribes. So, while we prepare at the federal, state and tribal levels, so to should individuals. Everyone should take steps to protect themselves from the effects of El Niño now and we encourage everyone to take the threat seriously.

How much does flood insurance typically cost?Flood insurance is affordable. An average flood policy costs around $705 a year, rates start at just $129 a year for homes in moderate- to low-risk areas. In CA, the average premium is approximately $850.  The higher average annual premium in CA is due to the increased value of buildings compared to other parts of the US. Consult Floodsmart.gov to find an insurance agent in your area that can provide accurate estimate of cost for flood insurance.

www.fema.gov

Is the risk for flooding greater this year as compared to past years?In several parts of the nation - yes.

An El Niño season that follows in the wake of wildfires or drought, as it will this year, can lead to severe flooding. Wildfires leave the ground charred, barren, and unable to absorb water, creating conditions ripe for flash flooding and mudflow. Flood risk remains significantly higher until vegetation is restored—up to 5 years after a wildfire.

The U.S. Forest Service is conducting outreach to local communities recently impacted by wildfire to provide education about the potential for flood, provide advice on methods to reduce flooding on local properties, and address flooding and after-fire concerns in the community.

How can tribal residents purchase flood insurance if their tribe is a non-participating member of the NFIP?

Flood insurance through the NFIP is only available to residents who live in communities that participate in the NFIP.  However, flood insurance is available through the private market. We encourage tribal members to speak to their insurance agent about alternative ways to purchase flood insurance.  Tribal members can also take pro-active steps to prepare themselves for a flood event such as:

Be aware of when conditions are right for flooding Listen to the TV/radio for latest weather updates and emergency instructions Know where to go and how to reach higher ground Build or restock their emergency preparedness kit to include sandbags, flashlight,

batteries, cash and first aid supplies Additional tips can be found at Ready Indian Country section of the Ready.gov

website.

***NOTE: There are 150 tribes in the Region IX area of operation. Only seven (7) tribes participate in NFIP.

California: Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indian Tribe Big Valley Band Pomo Tribe Cabazon Mission Indians Colorado River Indian Tribe (lands in AZ, CA & NV) Fort Mohave Indian Tribe (land in AZ, CA & NV) Pinoville Indian Reservation

Arizona: Havasupai Indian Reservation

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www.fema.gov