Mud cleanup continues in the Carson Valley

Cleanup efforts continue on roads in the Carson Valley that were covered in mud, dirt and debris after the flooding developed after the wet storm that hit the area on July 20.

Crews from Douglas County as well as private contractors are on the job.

Shortly after the flooding began, County Commission, Staff and East Fork Fire met to develop an action plan and began calling for additional resources from Carson City. A declaration of Emergency was not declared due to fact that the flood did not rise to the level of overwhelming the county’s resources to protect health and safety.

“There is no argument that the storm created problems for the public as far as drainage ditches, debris on the roadway, widespread damage to home owner’s landscaping and, worst of all, mud and debris entering homes and garages but, this did not constitute a widespread emergency,” said Lawrence Werner, Douglas County Interim Manager. “The storm event that occurred Sunday, while creating major issues in certain areas of the county, simply did not rise to the level of a national emergency.”

East Fork Fire District, who also serves as Douglas County Emergency Management through an inter local agreement, was in constant contact with State Emergency Management officials through the event regarding disaster declaration status.

“As significant as this event was, State officials were in agreement with local officials that the event would not qualify for FEMA assistance,” stated District Chief Tod Carlini. “In order for disaster declarations to be considered, certain financial loss thresholds have to be met. This event did not meet those thresholds. Flooding of any type can be just as devastating as a fire,” said Carlini, recalling his own losses in Lyon County in the 1997 flood.

Douglas County’s 911 Center received 189 calls for service between 2:30 PM and 6:00 PM, almost one call every minute during the actual event. Calls were prioritized and appropriate resources were dispatched. The County fielded several calls about damage on private roads. Unless there is an immediate concern for public health and safety, the County cannot perform work on private property. The County did however, extend all available resources to areas that were severely hit.

“Moving forward, it is important to document the event from a future hazard mitigation standpoint, an effort that the State and County will be working on,” said Carlini. “As tragic as this event was, it is important to note that no lives were lost and that in the aftermath, countless acts of “neighbors helping neighbors” have taken place. Douglas County has always set the example in this regard. We consistently see it time and time again.”

Flood insurance and FEMA Flood mapping has been a topic for the public when looking for financial assistance from damages incurred by flooding. The FEMA flood mapping is generally for the use of lending institutions in the process of providing loans. Where certain levels of flooding are indicated on a FEMA map, flood insurance may be required.

“The County’s involvement on the FEMA mapping was to review the adequacy of the maps and to address accuracy. Once the map is adopted, the matter of flood insurance, whether the subject property is shown in a flood zone or not, is between the homeowner and their insurance company,” said Werner. “The main role of the County is to review building plans and assure that certain building standards are adhered to meet flood zone requirements in the building of a structure and the County is not involved in whether flood insurance should or should not be issued.”

The drainage facilities in the areas impacted by this storm were overwhelmed, well beyond the design capacities according to Douglas County Planning and Engineering Department. The County’s facilities are designed to carry specific design storms such as a 25-year peak runoff which is usually generated by a 6 or 24 hour storm. The initial analysis places this storm at a 100 year 2 hour storm, essentially meaning that the intensity of rainfall has a 1% chance of being exceeded or that it was 99% greater than typical storms with a 2 hour duration.

County Road Crews will continue to clean up in those areas that were affected the worst by the storm and data is currently being collected to be presented to the Douglas County Commissioners.

“After observing most of the affected areas, I am always impressed by how our community comes together in time of need. We certainly understand there are individuals who were greatly affected by this incident and County roads and infrastructure will continue to remain a top priority for the commission moving forward,” said Doug Johnson, Chairman to the Board of Commissioners.