“If you have a home in Clayton Estate, Forest Hills, Cheshire, Coyote Springs, Anasazi Ridge, Coconino Estate, Ridge Crest, Rock Ridge Estate, Clark Homes, Flagstaff Townsite, North End, Downtown Flagstaff or Southside, and that home is within FEMA Zones A, AE, AH, or shaded X, you should purchase or maintain flood insurance immediately,” the city release said, adding, “Homeowners’ insurance covers flood damage. It doesn’t cover it, so you have to buy insurance separately,” he added.

Maps of the Flagstaff area are available at: https://bit.ly/3xWzDSFMaps of FEMA floodplain designations by address are available at: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home.

Coconino County is also urging residents, especially those in the Timberline, Fernwood, Wupatki Trail, and Donny Park neighborhoods, to plan for flooding after the pipeline fires. Flooding after wildfires is a known phenomenon across Flagstaff, wreaking havoc on communities on multiple occasions. Most recently, flooding occurred under the remains of the 2021 museum fire.

Estimates of increased flood risk after pipeline fires based on “preliminary flood hazard modeling,” and a more robust and accurate assessment of flood risk, will be published next week in the U.S. Forest Service’s Burned Areas Emergency Response (BAER ) attached to the analysis. But with rain forecast as early as Saturday, city and county partners are urging residents to prepare for the worst.

Both suggest that residents purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

“Flood insurance is the only way for residents to cover flood damage on their private property,” said a city release. “If your insurance agent does not know how to sell flood insurance, ask the NFIP (1-877-336-2627) for a referral. You can also find a local insurance agent. www.floodsmart.govProperties in post-wildfire flooding environments may be eligible for expedited compensation and reduced waiting times. “

Residents are also encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts from the county by visiting: www.coconino.az.gov/ready Or call 928-679-8311. The county is asking residents to familiarize themselves with the “Ready, Set, Shelter” flood response system. In this system, the final step is not to evacuate, but to take shelter in place. According to a county release, sandbag walls were used to address leaks on roofs before the rain hits, and gutters and downspouts were cleared to ensure water drained properly to prevent flooding. You can also reduce the damage.

The pipeline fire may have increased the risk of flooding in some areas, but the Spruce Wash Basin and areas affected by flooding from the museum fire were unaffected. Both the city and county continue flood mitigation projects and maintenance aimed at reducing the severity of flooding in previously affected flood zones.

For county-related information on floods and pipeline fires, visit www.coconino.az.gov/PipelineFireFor questions about FEMA floodplains, please call the City of Flagstaff’s Stormwater Department at 928-213-2472. For any additional questions, please contact Sarah Langley, City of Flagstaff Director of Public Affairs at sarah.langley@flagstaffaz.gov or 928-853-5596.