Flood Risk in Oregon Increases Due to Worse-than-Normal Fire Season

The upcoming rains may be another challenge for many.

Snapshot of RAPTOR (Oregon's Real-time Assessment and Planning Tool for Oregon), displaying all wildfire perimeters from the 2014 fire season. More information on RAPTOR can be found at www.oregon.gov/DAS/CIO/Pages/RAPTOR.aspx.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Areas in Oregon downstream of wildfires are at greater risk for flooding this year, and the Oregon Office of Emergency Management, Oregon Dept. of Land Conservation (ODLC) and Development, and FEMA Region X are urging home and business owner in affected areas to purchase flood insurance.

"Fires have increased flood potential downstream from burned areas and home and business owners in those areas should look into purchasing flood insurance before the rainy season begins," said Christine Shirley, National Flood Insurance Coordinator (NFIPC) for ODLC.

Shirley added that now is also a good time for anyone that owns or rents a building in a flood prone area to buy flood insurance. Contact your insurance agent or visit www.floodsmart.gov for more information.

If you have additional flood insurance questions contact Deborah Farmer, NFIPC for FEMA Region X at Deborah.farmer@fema.dhs.gov

For hazard questions contact: Christine Shirley, Oregon Dept. of Land Conservation and Development at 503-373-0050 ext. 250.