Repetitive Flood Outreach

For flood risk information at your property:

Go to www.denvergov.org/flood and click on the various flood maps.  The Urban Flood Risk Area (UFRA) map and Regulatory Floodplain map are the most relevant to those who received the aforementioned flood risk letter from the City.

For general flood risk information such as causes of repetitive flooding, flood depths, appropriate flood protection levels, and flood protection alternatives:

• Contact Dylan Ross at dylan.ross@denvergov.org or (720) 955-6836.

For questions about development requirements or construction permits:

• Visit the Development Services Map online and type in your address to find the Wastewater Engineer for your property.
• You can also contact Wastewater Site Engineering at (720) 865-2874.

Prepare your family and/or business. Go to www.ready.gov/floods for detailed information on making emergency plans and for other preparedness resources.

Know how to shut off the electricity and gas to your property when a flood occurs.

Make a list of emergency numbers and identify a safe meeting place. Communicate the plan with your family or employees.

Inventory your building and its contents. This is useful when filing insurance claims.

Put insurance policies, valuable papers, medicine, etc. in a safe place.

Keep valuables up off the basement floor and garage floor, preferably on a higher level that is unlikely to incur flood damage.

Collect and put cleaning supplies, camera, waterproof boots, etc. in a handy place.

Publications

• City & County of Denver "Flood Protection Handbook"(PDF, 2MB)
• FEMA: “Repairing Your Flooded Home”

Consider some permanent flood protection measures.

• Mark your fuse or breaker box to show the circuits located in areas most vulnerable to flooding. Turning off the power can reduce property damage and save lives. 
• Consider elevating or floodproofing your building and utilities above flood levels. 
• Check your building for, and consider protecting, water entry points such as doors and window wells. 
• Install a floor drain plug, standpipe, overhead sewer, or sewer backup valve to prevent sewer backup flooding. 

Publications

• FEMA's “Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting: Six Ways to Protect Your House from Flooding”

Be aware that some flood protection measures may need a building permit and other flood protection measures may not be safe for your type of structure, so be sure to check with the City & County of Denver Community Planning and Development.

For more information on floodproofing or flood protection alternatives, contact Dylan Ross at dylan.ross@denvergov.org.

Consider a flood insurance policy. Flood insurance can help pay for repairs after a flood and, in some cases, can help pay the costs of mitigating a substantially damaged building.

Most homeowner’s insurance policies do NOT cover damage from floods. Some types of flooding can cause more damage to furniture and contents than to the structure itself. Be sure to consider optional contents coverage.

Do not wait for the next flood to buy flood insurance protection. In most cases, there is a 30-day waiting period before flood insurance coverage takes effect.

Denver Flood Insurance information

More questions? 

• Talk to an insurance agent who has experience with flood policies, or visit www.floodsmart.gov to use the insurance agent locator tool.
• You can also call the FEMA Flood Insurance Hotline at 1-877-336-2627.

There may be sources of Financial Assistance for Property Protection Measures. Contact City & County of Denver's Floodplain Management Group for information on financial assistance options.

floodplain@denvergov.org
(720) 865-3215