No rest for the west
5 Flood After Fire Facts to Share with Your Community

Wildfires can dramatically alter terrain and vegetation, but did you know they also cause flood risk to increase? If you live in and around areas impacted by wildfires, share these flood after fire facts with your community to ensure they’re informed of their increased flood risk following a wildfire. 

  • Fires are getting more intense and more frequent. As of July 1, 2022, a total of 34,478 wildfires have burned 4,582,301 acres across the United States. This is the most acres burned in the past 10 years. Wildfires and flooding go hand in hand, an increase of wildfires across also means an increased flood risk to the affected areas. 
  • Fires alter an area’s environment. Large-scale wildfires leave the ground charred, barren, and unable to absorb water. This puts residents living in and around areas affected by wildfires at greater risk of flooding until vegetation is restored, which can take up to five years or more. 
  • Fires lead to increased flood risk. The damage from wildfires doesn’t stop when the fire burns out. Due to the change in vegetation, it takes very little rain to cause a flood or mudflows. Properties located below or downstream from burn areas are most at risk of flooding and mudflows following a wildfire.   
  • Flooding can be costly. Just one inch of flood water can cause roughly $25,000 in damage to an average size home - damage that most homeowner, renter, and business insurance policies do not cover.  
  • Flood insurance is the best way to ensure coverage. A typical renters or homeowners insurance policy does not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is the best way to ensure coverage in the event of a flood. 

 
For more resources to share with your community about their flood after fire risk visit: https://agents.floodsmart.gov/flood-after-fire-in-your-community.