Flood Hazards in the City of Salem

Overview
The City of Salem features the Willamette River and smaller tributaries, streams that are susceptible to annual flooding events that pose threats to life and safety and cause significant property damage. The streams include Battle Creek, Cinnamon Creek, Claggett Creek, Clark Creek, Croisan Creek, Davidson Creek, Gibson Creek, Glenn Creek, Golf Creek, Jory Creek, Laurel Creek, Little Pudding, Mill Creek, Mill Race, Pettyjohn Creek, Powell Creek, Pringle Creek, Scotch Creek, Shelton Ditch, Waln Creek, and Winslow Creek. The City of Salem has over 5,000 acres of floodplain and approximately 3,000 individual parcels that are partially or entirely located within the floodplain. Salems flood events often occur when warm weather mixed with heavy rains melt snow at higher elevations and flood local streams.

December 2012

floodwaters rendered the sewage treatment plant inoperable, causing raw sewage to be channeled directly into the Willamette River. One hundred and twenty-one patients were evacuated from the Salem Memorial Hospital and 15 families in the Turner/ Salem area were evacuated from their homes. Since 1964, major storm events occurred in January 1974, February 1986, February 1996, November 1996, and January 2012. During the most recent event in January, some areas of South Salem received over nine inches of rain within a five-day period. Heavy rainfall combined with melting snow caused substantial flooding in the Battle Creek, Mill Creek, Pringle Creek, and Croisan Creek basins. Approximately 300 people were evacuated from their homes, and 64 City streets were closed due to high water. In February 1996, the Salem area saw nearly 100-year flood levels, causing flooding in both rural and urban areas. Damage to City businesses, residences, and infrastructure was tremendous, and most of the Citys residents were affected by the substantial impact on the transportation system, the loss of potable water, and the damage to personal property. Claims filed under FEMAs National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) from Salem residences and businesses accounted for almost one-third of the claims filed for Marion County in 1996. While the 1996 event was devastating to the entire region, the floods of 1861, 1890, and 1964 exceeded the 1996 events in terms of velocity and volume of water. These four major historical floods and the recent 2012 flood have been estimated to be nearly 100-year events, or Base Floods, and all within a time frame of about 150 years.

Historic Flood Events

The largest flood of the Willamette River on record occurred in 1861; the next significant flood occurred in 1890. In more recent times, many residents may remember the Christmas flood of 1964, which was rated approximately a 100-year flood by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and may be the most damaging in Oregons history. The Christmas flood of 1964 caused $157 million in damage, and 20 Oregonians lost their lives. The Christmas flood occurred as a result of two storms, one on December 19, 1964 and the other on January 31, 1965. These storms brought recordbreaking rainfall that exacerbated near record early season snow depths. The Willamette River crested nearly ten feet above flood stage, and many other streams in Salem overflowed their banks. The

Causes of Flooding in the City of Salem

Flooding occurs when climate (or weather patterns), geology, and hydrology combine to create conditions where river and stream waters flow outside of their usual course and overspill beyond their banks. In Salem, the combination of these factors, augmented by ongoing development, create chronic seasonal flooding conditions. Flooding is most common from November through March when storms from the Pacific Ocean, 60 miles away, bring intense rainfall to the area. The city of Salem receives approximately 38 inches of rain on Drowning is the average each year. number one cause Larger floods result from of flood deaths. heavy rains that continue over the course of several days, worsened by snow melt at a time when the soil is near saturation from previous rains. Frozen topsoil also contributes to flooding. Riverine flooding and urban flooding are the two types of flooding that primarily affect the city of Salem. Riverine flooding is the over-bank flooding of rivers and streams, a natural process which adds sediment and nutrients to fertile floodplain areas. Urban flooding results from the conversion of land from fields or woodlands to parking lots and roads, through which the land loses its ability to absorb rainfall.

Prepare an evacuation plan.

Before the floodwaters hit, develop an evacuation plan among all members of a household that includes a meeting place outside of the house as well as an escape route out of the floodplain and away from floodwaters.

Flood Insurance
Homeowner insurance policies do not cover damage from floods. However, because the City of Salem participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), federally-backed flood insurance is available for all structures within Salem, whether or not they are located within the floodplain. This insurance can be purchased through most insurance agents. More than 25 percent of NFIP claims are filed by owners of properties located outside the 100-year floodplain, also know as the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Following the purchase of flood insurance, the NFIP imposes a 30-day waiting period, so residents should purchase insurance before the onset of the rainy season to ensure coverage during the flooding season. Membership within NFIPand the availability of flood insurance to city residentsrequires the City to manage its floodplain in ways that meet or exceed standards set by FEMA. NFIP insures buildings with two types of coverage: structural and contents. Structural coverage includes walls, floors, insulation, furnace, and other items permanently attached to the structure, typically excluding basements. Contents coverage may be purchased separately to cover the contents of an insurable building. Flood insurance can pay a portion of the costs for actions taken to prevent flood damage. Federal financial assistance requires the purchase of flood insurance for buildings located within the SFHAa requirement that affects nearly all mortgages financed through commercial lending institutions. This requirement stipulates that structural coverage must be purchased that is equal to the amount of the loan or other financial assistance, or for the maximum amount available, which is currently $250,000 for a single family residence. While the mandatory flood insurance requirement has been in effect for many years, not all lending institutions enforced this requirement in the past. Today, however, most institutions require that flood insurance be purchased, and some are reviewing all mortgage loans to determine whether flood insurance is required. Upon refinancing a loan, nearly all lending institutions will enforce the mandatory flood insurance requirement. It is the lenders responsibility to check the Flood Insurance Rate Map to determine whether a structure is within the SFHA.

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.

The mandatory flood insurance purchase requirement does not apply to loans or financial assistance for items that are not eligible for flood insurance coverage, such as vehicles, business expenses, landscaping, and vacant lots. Mandatory coverage is required only for insurable structures located within the SFHA; voluntary coverage is available at a reduced rate for structures located outside the SFHA. Persons owning property located within an SFHA who received disaster assistance after September 23, 1994, for flood losses to real or personal property must purchase and maintain flood insurance coverage; otherwise, future disaster assistance will be denied.

Do not drive through a flooded area.

More people drown in their cars than anywhere else. Dont drive around road barriers; the road or bridge may be washed out.

Property Protection Measures

Whether or not their homes have experienced damage from flooding in the past, property owners can take practical and cost-effective measures to reduce or eliminate the risk of flooding. Such techniques include elevating the home, relocating the home to higher ground, constructing flood-walls or berms, installing flood vents to equalize the force of flood waters, flood-proofing, and protecting utilities. For further information, contact the City of Salem Public Works DepartmentDevelopment Services at 503-588-6211 and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region {X} at 425-487-4600. You may also visit FEMAs website at www.fema.gov, which has publications about property protections, including Engineering Principles and Practices for Retrofitting Flood-Prone Residential Structures, FEMA-259, dated January 2012. During times of flooding, homes that have not been retrofitted can be protected during emergencies by the installation of sandbags. For further information about sandbags and the locations of sandbag sites available during flooding, contact the City of Salems Dispatch Communication Center at 503-588-6333. During a storm event, information can be found on our website at www.cityofsalem.net. In case of an emergency, call 9-1-1.

Stay away from power lines and electrical wires.

The second most common cause of flood deaths is electrocution. Electrical current can travel through water. Report downed power lines to your local power company or the County Emergency Management Office.

Shut off gas and electricity and move valuables upstairs.

Be prepared in advance with a detailed checklist because warning of an impending flood may provide little time for preparation prior to evacuation.

Flood Safety Tips

The Citys Public Works DepartmentEmergency Preparedness has flood warning information available that can be accessed by calling 503-288-6333, or during an emergency through their website at: www.cityofsalem.net. The website includes information about sandbag locations and ways to contact and listen to the National Weather Service and the Portland Weather Service. The Public Works Department also provides an informational brochure that explains how people can prepare for an emergency. Additionally, you may visit Marion Countys website at www.co.marion.or.us for road conditions, road closures, and road hazard information. Following is a list of important considerations that should be heeded during times of flooding: 2

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 may be 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. Dont smoke or use candles, lanterns, or open flames unless you know that the gas has been turned off and the area has been ventilated.

Natural and Beneficial Function of Floodplains

Recognizing the natural and beneficial functions of floodplains can help to reduce flooding. Floodplains are a natural component of the city of Salem environment. Understanding and protecting the natural functions of floodplains reduces flood damage and protects resources. 3

When flooding spreads out across the floodplain, its energy is dissipated, which results in lower flood flows downstream, reduced erosion of the stream bank and channel, deposition of sediments higher in the watershed, and improved groundwater recharge. Floodplains are scenic, serve as valued wildlife habitats, and are suitable for farming. Poorly planned development in floodplains can lead to stream bank erosion, loss of valuable property, increased risk of flooding to downstream properties, and degradation of water quality.

The Emergency Information link on the Citys website at www.cityofsalem.net is activated. This link provides the same information as Flash News. ODOTs Highway Alert Radio system is activated ({for} all floods {that} affect traffic). A custom message is transmitted throughout the Salem area and Tune to 1650 when flashing signs throughout the area are activated. A text scroll on CCTV, Comcast, and other TV stations is played. When needed, a news conference or regional Joint Information Center meeting is held.

Floodplain Development Permit Requirements

To minimize damage to structures during flood events, the City requires all new construction in the floodplain to be anchored against movement by floodwaters, to be resistant to flood forces, and to be constructed with floodresistant materials. In addition, new structures must be flood-proofed or elevated so that the first floor of living space, as well as all electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and other service facilities are at least one foot above the elevation of the 100-year flood. These standards apply to new structures and to substantial improvements of existing structures, including those that have sustained substantial damage. Substantial improvement includes any reconstruction, rehabilitation, or addition to an existing structure, the cost of which exceeds 50 percent of the structures appraised or market value (whichever the builder chooses to use). Similarly, substantial damage means damage sustained by a structure whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its condition immediately prior to the damage would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the damage occurred. Additionally, most other types of development within the floodplain also require a floodplain development permit, such as grading, cut, fill, installation of riprap, and other bank stabilization techniques. Public Works Development Services staff is available at City Hall, 555 Liberty Street SE, Room 325, or by phone at 503-588-6211, to answer questions about permit requirements for construction activities in the floodplain. To report work being performed in the floodplain unlawfully, two contact numbers are available: 1. For building concerns and structures being erected in the floodplain without building permits, contact Community Development Building and Safety Division staff at 503-588-6256. 2. For excavation, fill, or other construction activity in the floodplain, contact Public Works Development Services staff at 503-588-6211 during business hours or Public Works Dispatch at 503-588-6333 outside business hours.

Drainage System Maintenance

Maintaining the flow capacity in streams that cross city properties to prevent flooding and bank erosion requires cooperation and assistance. The City regulates the floodplain in order to protect property and lives, while affording city residents the ability to obtain flood insurance.

Do not dump or throw anything into ditches or streams.

Flood Warning System

The City operates a system of water quality monitoring stations located in several watersheds. Each station measures depth of flow on a continuous basis and communicates by radio to a central station located at the Public Works Shops Complex. Information from each station is updated every five minutes to a near-real-time monitoring display. Each station has the capability of notifying the central flow monitoring station immediately whenever an alarm set point is breached. The City also subscribes to several weather monitoring services and receives notice of impending weather events. Once a flood alarm is acknowledged, City staff is immediately dispatched to visually inspect the points of first flooding and collect information. In the event City staff determines that localized flooding is likely, radio and television news releases and web updates are posted to inform citizens in affected areas. The following are examples of alert systems the City will utilize in the event of a flood: A Flash News alert is created and transmitted to all news media, regional public information officers, and interested parties. Visit www.flashnews.net for more information. News media and radio stations notified include: Radio stations KBZY (1490), KYKN (1430), KWBY (940), KWIP (880), KPJC (1220) News media Statesman Journal, CCTV, SalemNews.com, Salem Keizer Transit Local television stations Channels 2, 6, 8, and 12

Flood Mitigation Assistance Program

FEMA is authorized to provide grants to states and communities for planning assistance and for mitigation projects that reduce the risk of flood damage to structures covered by flood insurance. Most of the FEMA grants provide 75 percent of the cost of a project. The owner is expected to fund the other 25 percent, although in some cases the state or local government may contribute to the non-FEMA share. Since July 1, 1997, all NFIP flood insurance policies include Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage. If you have NFIP insurance, and your structure has been declared substantially damaged from a flood, ICC coverage will cover up to $30,000 for the cost to elevate, flood-proof, demolish, or relocate your structure. ICC coverage is in addition to the coverage you receive to repair flood damages; however, the total payout on a policy may not exceed $250,000 for residential buildings and $500,000 for non-residential buildings. Each program has a different Congressional authorization and slightly different rules. States and communities set their own priorities for the use of the grant funds but are strongly encouraged to address their repetitive flood problems. In no case can a FEMA grant be used on a project without the completely voluntary agreement of the owner.

A plugged channel cannot carry water, and when it rains, the excess water must go somewhere. Trash and vegetation dumped into a stream degrade water quality of both the stream itself and its receiving waters, Floodplains are a and every piece of trash natural component contributes to flooding. of the environment. The City has adopted and enforces regulations that prohibit the dumping of material into any natural or man-made component of the drainage system. Please report any observations of the dumping of debris or other objects into streams, drainage-ways, or rivers to City of Salem Community Development Compliance Services at 503-588-6421.

Remove debris, trash, and loose branches and vegetation.

Keep banks clear of brush and debris to help maintain an unobstructed flow of water in stream channels. Do not, however, remove vegetation that is actively growing on a stream bank. Streamside vegetation is tightly regulated by local, state, and federal regulations. Before undertaking any removal of streamside vegetation, contact the City of Salem Community Development Planning Division at 503-588-6256 x 7427 and the Division of State Lands at 503-986-5200. Please report any observations of the clearing of vegetation or trees on stream banks to City of Salem Community Development Compliance Services at 503-588-6421.

The City regulates the floodplain in order to protect property and lives, while affording city residents the ability to obtain flood insurance.

City of Salem
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Flood Information

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2. Flood Insurance Rate Map Zone for the property. 3. Base Flood Elevation for property, if available. 4. Whether the property is located within the floodway.

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2. Federal Emergency Management Agency Phone: 425-487-4600 Web: www.fema.gov/nfip 3. City of Salem Public Works Department Development Services Phone: 503-588-6211 Web: www.cityofsalem.net/departments/ publicworks/administration/developmentservices 4. City of Salem Public Works Department Emergency Information Phone: 503-588-6211 Web: www.cityofsalem.net/Emergency-Information 5. City of Salem Community Development DepartmentPlanning Division Phone: 503-588-6173 Email: planning@cityofsalem.net Web: www.cityofsalem.net/departments/ communitydevelopment/planning

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1. City of Salem Internet Home Page www.cityofsalem.net The Floodplain link describes general floodplain information similar to that described in this publication. The Library Department link connects to the Citys library website, where significant flood information can be found using the various search tools.

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6. Salem Public Library (Houses floodplain publications and other floodplain information) Phone: 503-588-6052 or 503-588-6301 Web: www.cityofsalem.net/departments/library 7. Division of State Lands Phone: 503-378-3805 Web: www.oregon.gov/dsl 8. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Phone: 503-872-5268 Web: www.dfw.state.or.us

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1. Whether the property is located within the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).

Certified floodplain managers, building inspectors, and stormwater maintenance personnel on City staff are available, upon request, to make site visits to review flood, drainage, and sewer issues. For further information and prior to undertaking any activity within the floodplain, please contact City of Salem Public Works Development Services at 503-588-6211. To report local flooding, contact Public Works Dispatch at 503-588-6333.

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The City can determine the relationship of a particular property to the floodplain, including:

Contact City of Salem Public Works Development Services at 503-588-6333 for further information.

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Dear City of Salem Resident: City records show that your property is located within or near the regulatory floodplain; the City of Salem sends this annual outreach letter to inform and educate residents and owners of properties near the floodplain. The regulatory floodplain is established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) based on the land area which has a one-percent or greater chance of flooding each year. The City continues to improve and increase its circulation of and accessibility to information that pertains to the floodplain, in an effort to better educate and to assist its citizens developing and living in the floodplain. Please take the time to read the information enclosed, and if you have further questions, or would like additional information, a variety of contact information has been supplied at the end of this document.

Si necesita ayuda para comprender esta informacin, por favor llame 5035886211. If you need help understanding this information, please call 503-588-6211.

555 LIBERTY STREET SE / ROOM 325 SALEM OR 97301-3513

SALEM OR PERMIT NO 102 PRSRT STD US POSTAGE

PAID