Flood Awareness Week: Thurston County Emergency Management encourages residents to prepare for flood season

As fall and winter approach, Thurston County Emergency Management is reminding residents that now is the time to prepare for flooding and understand their household's risk.

Flooding is one of the most common natural hazards affecting Thurston County, the county said in a news release. Flood risk isn't limited to major rivers — heavy rainfall, saturated soils, rising groundwater, and overwhelmed drainage systems can all create flooding in different parts of the county.

“Flooding is a recurring hazard in Thurston County, and we know that major flooding can have significant impacts on our communities,” said Kyle Bustad, Thurston County emergency manager. “The good news is there are simple steps residents can take now to better prepare themselves, their families, and their property before the next major storm.”

Know your flood risk

Flooding can occur in several ways throughout Thurston County. The four principal sources are:

• Riverine flooding — when rivers and streams exceed their normal capacity.
• Groundwater flooding — when rising groundwater saturates normally dry areas.
• Tidal flooding — when tidal conditions contribute to flooding.
• Urban flooding — when heavy rainfall overwhelms drainage systems and creates localized flooding.

Residents do not necessarily have to live directly next to a major river to experience flooding. Heavy rainfall, saturated soils, rising groundwater, snowmelt, and rain-on-snow events can all contribute to flooding. 

Flooding is most common during the fall and winter months, making early preparation especially important, according to emergency management.

Take steps before the water rises

Thurston County Emergency Management encourages residents to:

• Know whether their home, workplace, or regular travel routes are vulnerable to flooding.
• Build or update an emergency supply kit.
• Keep important documents and valuables in a safe location above potential flood levels.
• Make a plan for where to go if you need to leave your home.
• Include pets in your emergency plan and have supplies ready for them.
• Keep vehicles fueled and prepare an emergency kit for your vehicle.
• Monitor weather conditions and changing flood risks.
• Never drive through a flooded roadway. Turn around, don't drown.
• Explore flood insurance policies through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Stay connected with TC Alert

Receiving timely information during an emergency is an important part of being prepared.

As part of Flood Awareness Week, Thurston County Emergency Management will conduct a test of the TC Alert emergency notification system. 

Residents who are registered for TC Alert may receive a test notification during the testing period.

The test will help emergency management evaluate the system and give residents an opportunity to become familiar with what an emergency notification may look like before a real emergency occurs.

Residents who are not already registered are encouraged to sign up and make sure their contact information is current.

Visit TCAlert.org to sign up for emergency notifications.

Flood insurance

Property owners in unincorporated Thurston County are eligible for up to 40% off flood insurance. Thurston County is rated a Class 2 in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This rating provides a 40% discount on flood insurance premiums. Learn more about NFIP on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) website www.floodsmart.gov. Be proactive before a flood — there is typically a 30-day waiting period for an NFIP policy to go into effect.

Be flood ready 

Flood Awareness Week is an opportunity for residents to take a few simple steps that can make a significant difference during an emergency.

“Preparedness doesn't have to be complicated,” said Bustad. “Knowing your flood risk, having emergency supplies, making a household plan, and knowing how you'll receive emergency information are all important steps toward being flood ready.”

For more information about flood preparedness and emergency planning in Thurston County, visit the Thurston County Emergency Management website www.thurstoncountywa.gov/em.