Know your flood risk!

Spring run-off flooding might affect our community, primarily from the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers, although several creeks and washes can pose a flood risk. Mesa County has an active program to help you protect yourself and your property from future flooding.

A flood occurs when the water level in a stream or river is high enough that it overflows the natural or artificial river banks. Mesa County is prone to floods from rapid snowmelt or large storms which cause rivers and creeks to swell and sometimes overflow. 

Though Mesa County is at risk from flooding, primarily from the Colorado River and the Gunnison River, several creeks and washes can pose a significant flood risk. Contact Mesa County to learn more about Non‐FEMA Regulatory Floodplains.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FROM: MESA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS & THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

Before a Flood:

• Plan your evacuation routes. Where would you go? What roads would you take to get there?  
• Develop an emergency plan for yourself and your loved ones, review and update it regularly.  
• Store valuable and important paperwork off the ground in a waterproof container. Keep copies of important documents. Maintain a go-bag with valuables, medications, food, water, and essentials.
• Know how to access emergency information. Resources are available on our website. 
• Flood proof or construct barriers around your house to protect it from flooding.

During a Flood:

• Turn around, don’t drown! If you see flood waters, do not attempt to drive through them. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock an adult off their feet. Twelve inches of water can sweep away a moving car.  
• Evacuate to a higher elevation, above the floodwaters.  
• Do not enter a flooded building until it is cleared by an inspector. The potential risks are unknown and may cause harm to you and your family.
• If your building is substantially damaged, it may need to be elevated above the flood level. Please visit the website for more information.
• Stay informed: listen to your local radio station for updates during an emergency. Additional hazard radio stations can be found online at https://www.weather.gov/nwr/.

After a Flood:

• Do not return to a disaster area until cleared to do so; this may include your home.  
• Avoid touching floodwaters. They can be contaminated with harmful and toxic substances.  
• Check for damage to a house or other building before entering it.  
• Avoid hazardous debris.

If your property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and is subject to flooding from the Colorado River. Please develop and review an emergency action plan with your household. In the event of flooding, know your evacuation route and travel to higher ground.

Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) 

Properties located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) have more than a 25% chance of flooding over the life of a 30‐ year mortgage. To minimize flood losses, properties in an SFHA are subject to specific development requirements. To learn more about the requirements within the SFHA, please contact: Carrie Gudorf at (970) 244 1811 or carrie.gudorf@mesacounty.us.

Keep Waterways Clean! 

Storm drains are meant to handle only stormwater. Dumping debris can block the flow of stormwater and cause flooding. To report dumping activities, call (970)263‐8201. For more information, contact the Mesa County Stormwater Division. Mesa County's storm drain system contains a mix of underground pipes, roadside borrow ditches and natural washes and open drains. If these areas plug with debris, flooding in streets can occur.

Flood Warnings 

National Weather Service offices issue three types of flash flood advisories: a Flash Flood Watch, Flash Flood Warning, and a Small Stream and Urban Flood Advisory. A Flash Flood Watch means that heavy rains occurring or expected to occur may soon cause flash flooding in certain areas. You should be alert to the possibility of a flood emergency, which will require immediate action.

Flood Insurance

If you own a property within an SFHA and have a mortgage that is backed by the federal government, you are required to purchase flood insurance. Some financial institutions require flood insurance for non‐federally backed mortgages. Mesa County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. This allows any resident, homeowner, or renter within our community to purchase flood insurance. Mesa County and its residents also participate in the Community Rating System Program, which rewards residents with a reduction in their flood insurance premium for taking additional steps to manage flood risk. Select Elevation Certificates are on file for properties that have constructed houses after 2012, please check with Mesa County’s Floodplain Administrator regarding an Elevation Certificate for your property. If you need to purchase flood insurance, there is a mandatory 30-day waiting period before your property is protected from a flood.

Additional information can be found at the FloodSmart™ website: https://www.floodsmart.gov/.

Mesa County is available to provide the following information:

• Floodway data
• Flood hazard studies for FEMA floodplains and select non‐regulatory floodplain
• Flood depth data

Mesa County will conduct property protection measure suggestions, site visits and advise on how to protect your property from flooding events. Carrie Gudorf with Mesa County is technically qualified for a site visit.

For all floodplain questions, to schedule a site visit, or to learn more about flood risk to your property, please contact your local floodplain manager Carrie Gudorf by email at carrie.gudorf@mesacounty.us or call (970) 244‐1811.