DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK RANGER TALKS ABOUT WIDESPREAD DAMAGE FROM FLASH FLOODING

www.LATimes.com

On August 4th, Death Valley National Park and the surrounding areas received a historical flash flooding. The park roads remain closed as the National Park services provide updates. The National Park Ranger and Incident Information Officer, Jennette Jurado, witnessed water surrounding and flooding their dive way as the park received a year's worth of rainfall in roughly three hours. The flood happened early in the morning before most people were awake and commuting. No injuries have been claimed from the flooding, but 500 visitors and 500 park residents were left stranded during the flooding. Roadways within the park had minor to sever damage. More than 600 feet of the main water line were destroyed during the flooding. Ariel searches were conducted on August 5th and 6th for any other residents that may have been stranded.

SBA HAS APPROVED $4.5 MILLION IN DISASTER LOANS SO FAR FOR THOSE IMPACTED BY THE FLOODING OF THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER

www.BozemanDailyChronicle.com

On July 23rd, A federal agency announced that millions of dollars in disaster loans have been approved for people affected by flooding this past June of the Yellowstone River and some other streams in southern Montana. The Small Business Administration announced that more than $4.5 million in disaster loans have been approved. The agency offers three types of loans: Business Physical Disaster Loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Home Disaster Loans. The application period deadline for physical damage loans is August 29, 2022, while the economic injury loan application period ends March 30, 2023.

The business loans are for repairs or replacing disaster-damaged property. Private businesses, nonprofits, churches, universities and others are eligible, according to the agency. Economic injury loans are for businesses that cannot meet their financial obligations because of flooding. And home loans are for homeowners or renters who need to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property.

WITH WATERS RISING, BALTIMORE EYES $138 MILLION PLAN TO LIMIT COASTAL FLOOD DAMAGE

www.bayjournal.com

Because Baltimore, Maryland, is facing increased risks of coastal flooding from storms as sea level rises, federal officials have put forward a $138 million plan aimed at protecting the interstate highway tunnels and reducing flood damage to homes and businesses in low-lying waterfront neighborhoods. The draft plan is to build floodwalls around the openings to the Interstate 95 and Interstate 895 tunnels that carry traffic beneath the harbor. The plan doesn’t envision erecting any levees or other structures to hold back the water for the tourism-centric Inner Harbor and waterfront neighborhoods like Canton, Fells Point, Riverside and Locust Point.

The Baltimore metropolitan area has felt the effects of at least nine hurricanes or tropical storms since the 1950s, the Corps study noted. Tropical Storm Isabel in 2003, caused $4.8 million in property damage in the city and up to $252 million in total damages in the county. One person died in the floods, while more than 570 homes and 15 businesses were declared uninhabitable.

THOUSANDS OF SYDNEY RESIDENTS RETURN HOME TO ASSESS DAMAGE AS FLOOD WATERS RECEDE

TimesOfIndia.IndiaTimes.com

July 8th was the first day of clear skies after a week of rain for the residents of Sydney, Australia. Authorities are preparing to provide relief efforts as thousands of Sydney residents return home to severe flood damage. About 47,000 residents in Australia's most populous state have been ordered to evacuate or were warned they might receive evacuation orders. Trucks were sent into the flooded neighborhoods on July 8th to help remove debris, taking advantage of the calm weather conditions.

DAMAGE INTO THE BILLIONS’, TROOPS ON WAY TO DEVASTATED BRISBANE

Jason O'Brien / Australian Associated Press

Defense troops and two navy vessels have been deployed to Queensland, Australia, to help clean up and conduct damage assessments for approximately 19,000 flood victims. An announcement of $2.2 million being paid to 5,400 of the flood victims seeking financial assistance was released on March 4th. Brisbane's volunteer “mud army” was reactivated as the clean-up process was expected to be lengthy.

Approximately 67,000 insurance claims have been filed across Queensland, Australia, and New South Wales, Australia. The Premier of Australia said she had written to the Prime Minister of Australia requesting Category D assistance for $559 million on a 50-50 basis between the state and Commonwealth. Small businesses and not-for-profit organizations would be able to apply for as much as $50,000 in grant funding. The state government estimated 6100 organizations may be eligible for the grants, so far $257 million has been allocated for those grants.

BUILDING NEAR FLOOD PLAINS.

Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press

Shortly after an “atmospheric river” dropped a large amount of water onto British Columbia’s lower mainland last November, landscape architect Kees Lokman, director of the University of British Columbia’s Coastal Adaptation Lab, examined that the areas that were inundated included the low-lying regions in the southern part of B.C.

Lokman focused his studies on the places where land and water meet, and how these zones have emerged as a critical front line in the fight against climate change. The topic invariably spills over into another deeply complex issue: what to do about development in or near flood-prone zones.

Some dispute that flood-related damage has become the most visible symptom of climate change in urbanized regions. Property and casualty claims in Canada averaged $250 to $450 million annually between 1983 and 2008, but those figures have shot up in the years since then to an average annual figure of $1.8 billion.

The City of Christchurch, in New Zealand, imposed so-called red zone designations on a series of residential neighborhoods along the Avon River that were submerged during the floods triggered by the devastating 2011 earthquake. About 5,500 homes and properties in these areas were expropriated, and the buildings were demolished.

VERMONT FLOOD COSTS COULD EXCEED $5.2 BILLION

NBC5 News

The University of Vermont has concluded that property damage from flooding will exceed $5.2 billion in the next 100 years. Flood damage projections are expected in the Winooski River floodplains. Many of the state’s most populous towns are in the floodplains, including Burlington, Essex, Colchester, Williston, and Montpelier.

The University of Vermont is also developing a comprehensive map of flood risks across Vermont’s Lake Champlain Basin. The comprehensive map intends to reveal greater flood damage in more detail than any other existing model. Researchers were able to evaluate eight different levels of flood probability ranging from smaller floods that occur every 1-2 years to larger 50-, 100- and 500-year floods.

SAN JOSE FINALLY REACHES SETTLEMENT WITH RENTERS AND PROPERTY OWNERS ON THE 2017 COYOTE CREEK FLOOD

Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group

San Jose leaders approved a $750,000 settlement for 240 renters and property owners whose properties suffered damage in the 2017 Coyote Creek Flood. This settlement finally came 4 years after the residents of the area sued the Santa Clara Valley Water District and Santa Clara County. The claims alleged that residents were not properly warned of the flooding and that the defendants were aware of debris in the channel blocking the flow of water and did nothing to address the situation.

The 2017 Coyote Creek flooding forced 14,000 people to evacuate their properties. Although Santa Clara County was dismissed from the trial, Santa Clara Valley Water District is still active with a trial date of May 2, 2022. The $750,000 settlement was approved by the city council and residents say this money may all go towards hiring expert witnesses in their case against the water district.

RESIDENTS REBUILD TOGETHER AFTER THE SIMILKAMEEN RIVER SWEPT THROUGH DAMAGING COMMUNITIES

Merritt, British Colombia City Camera

Residents are attempting to rebuild their community at Riverside RV resort outside of Keremeos, British Colombia, after the Similkameen River came up and flooded through properties on the morning of November 15th. Residents woke up to horns warning them to evacuate the area as the water levels were rising.

The community is now working to restore their neighborhoods. Several homeowners are depending on some form of financial assistance from the government as their insurance does not cover the damages caused by the flooding.

B.C. FLOOD UPDATE: CHILLIWACK SCHOOLS RE-OPEN, SOME ABBOTSFORD SCHOOLS REMAIN CLOSED

Alyse Kotyk / CTV News Vancouver

Rainfall hit southern British Columbia on November 14th and 15th causing wide spread flooding, mudslides, and rockslides. On November 22, 2021, reports of another storm starting later that week began to spread with estimates of 70 millimeters to fall upon Fraser Valley and up to 100 millimeters in the North Shore mountains and Howe Sound area.

A washout has caused a closure of highway 3 in both direction in between Hope and Princeton while the House of Commons has been called upon to have an emergency debate on the flooding and how to mitigate damages. Highway 1 in Sumas has been temporarily reopened to essential travelers only.

JEFFERSON COUNTY EMA WORKING TO ASSESS FLOOD DAMAGE

Bryce Gray / St. Louis Post - Dispatch

Director Jim Coker of the Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) said that they are currently working on how many homes, cars, and businesses were damages during the flooding. This will help to determine which areas need financial assistance but areas eligible have to meet a certain dollar amount of damaged property within that area. Once damage totals have been submitted, crews will assess the damage and take photographs.

VIRGINIA BEACH’S FLOODING REFERENDUM: WHAT IT MEANS IF IT PASSES, WHAT IT MEANS IF IT DOESN’T

Steve Fundaro / Wavy.com

In fall’s general election ballot, Virginia Beach will decide if they want to increase their property taxes in order to expedite the flood prevention building process. So far, the city has spent $4 million on flood prevention research. Because of rising sea levels; the main infrastructure needed is massive flood gates, new development guidelines, and green infrastructure improvements costing more than the city’s $2.2 billion annual budget.

If the city decides to vote yes on the matter, the city will borrow $567.5 million in order to start 21 flood protection projects that will be scheduled to be completed within seven years. The city property tax would need to be raised 4.3 and 6.4 cents for every $100 of a property’s assessed value. This would bring the cities property tax rate to approximately $1.05 per $100 of a property’s assessed value. This would likely be the property rate of the neighboring city, Chesapeake. 

SUMMER FLOODS: BLOOMINGTON RESIDENTS' $310K CLAIM FOR FLOOD LOSSES DENIED

Kyle Haskins / Flicker

10 residents of Bloomington, Illinois, are demanding the city provide financial compensation to cover the damages endured by their properties when city sewage and storm water flooded their homes during the large rain fall that occurred between June 25th – 26th. The storm brought nearly a foot of rainfall and caused Bloomington’s combined sewer system to become overwhelmed, bringing raw sewage into the basements of several local residents.

However, these demands for $310,000 in financial compensation have been denied. The city is citing the Tort Immunity Act as to why the city is not responsible for the damages. While residents are claiming that the Trot Immunity Act does not prevent the city from being at fault when damages are caused by city property.

Residents are also pointing out the city was aware that the sewar system could not withstand a flood based off a 2014 sanity and sewar master plan that concluded “some of the infrastructure installed as part of the (city’s) expansion is deteriorating to a point where it is not providing an adequate Level of Service.”

BLOOMINGTON ATTORNEY: 10 RESIDENTS PREPARED TO SUE CITY FOR FLOOD DAMAGES

JUSTIN HURT / THE PANTAGRAPH

Illinois’s city of Bloomington may be facing possible legal actions from residents if the city refuses financial assistance to residents that endured property damage during the heavy rains and sever storm in June of 2021. William Marht, a local attorney, claims he has several residents that want the city to pay them over $300,000 dollars in property damages caused by city sewers flooding residential properties. Damages are ranging between $10,000 - $75,000 per resident preparing legal action. Mahrt also makes the claim that it is the obligation of the city to provide financial help to these citizens as the claims are supported by case law and previous rulings. Mahrt and the residents of Bloomington agree that the damages that were inflicted upon residential property was not the fault of heavy rainfall but rather the infrastructure of the city’s sewers and storm water drainage system.  

FLAGSTAFF ADDRESSES FLOOD DAMAGE AFTER RECORD RAINFALL HITS MUSEUM FIRE BURN SCAR

Coconino County / AZCentral

After a 200 to 500 year rainfall hit the city of Flagstaff Arizona on the Museum Fire Burn Scar, Governor Doug Ducey issued a declaration of emergency. This rainfall occurred on August 17, 2021, coming in at the largest rainfall to date for this area flooding streets and building all across the area. This flooding resulted in 88 private homes to endure damage either internally or externally, and 33 public properties.

NEW ORLEANS SEEKS SUSTAINABILITY AS IT REBUILDS FROM HURRICANE IDA

Jalen Small / NewsWeek

New Orleans, the city that has faced the front lines of two major hurricanes within the last two decades. Several residents stayed with there properties throughout the flooding just as they had done in 2005 with Hurricane Katrina. Of those people, 26 of them were killed during the flooding. The city is longing for a way to preserve their cultural heritage while also maintaining a safe environment that may endure several natural disasters to come.

After Hurricane Ida passed, the community began planning a program called “We’re Fueling the City.” It is a week-long event where food and gasoline was handed out to local residents in need of assistance. Within a couple of days, the event had given away over 1,200 gallons of gas and served over 2,000 meals to people in need.

NEW YORK MULTIFAMILY DAMAGE IN THE ‘BILLIONS’ FROM HISTORIC FLOODING

Spencer Platt / Getty Images

Hurricane Ida has gone through New York City which resulted in a city-wide rampage and has caused nearly $1 billion in damage and 16 people dead. New York had its first ever flash flood emergency warning from the national weather service on Wednesday night. Heavy winds and record-breaking rainfall caused several power outages, fallen trees and street flooding. The roof of Broadway street’s The Strand Smokehouse concaved in and several other properties close by suffered flooded basements.

Out of the 16 New York citizens that were killed during the flooding, 9 of those individuals died in their basement apartments where water levels rose and trapped residents inside. The basement flooding also posed a threat to residents who did not live in a basement apartment trying to escape their buildings during the flooding. Unless the cleanup process is done properly, flooding can create mold and poor air conditions that may cause other health concerns.

IDA DAMAGES 1,200 NEW YORK HOMES, OVER $50 MILLION IN DAMAGES

AP Photo / Eduardo Munoz Alvarez

A major disaster declaration has been expedited by president Biden provided financial relief for the local governments of New York to help with the damages that were caused by hurricane Ida. The counties of Bronx, Queens, Kings, Richmond and Westchester will be covered by the declaration of individual assistance.

For the time being, the county of New York is only eligible for public assistance. The major disaster declaration starts the process of allowing for financial assistance to be given from the federal government to New York citizens and business owners in order to allow New Yorkers to continue to regrow and rebuild after the damage that was caused by the flooding. FEMA will also be working with eligible homeowners and providing temporary housing, driveway repairs, crisis counseling, unemployment assistance, and legal services.

HURRICANE IDA’S DAMAGE TALLY COULD TOP $95 BILLION, MAKING IT ONE OF THE COSTLIEST HURRICANES

Alach11 | Taken at 9:10 AM on Monday, August 30, 2021. The image shows damage to buildings in Houma, Louisiana the morning after Hurricane Ida made landfall. House of Hope provides services for the homeless. | https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Damage_in_Houma_Following_Hurricane_Ida.jpg | Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

Hurricane Ida has gone from New Orleans to New York, raising questions as to the potential economic damages that will be caused by the hurricane. AccuWeather is now projecting that the damages will total over $95 billion, potentially one of the costliest hurricanes since 2000. This estimate is higher by $20 to $30 billion from their initial projections when the hurricane had begun.

The forecasting company is predicting that the storm will come in seventh place in regard to the costliest hurricane to hit the United States. Hurricane Katrina is still expected to be the costliest hurricane to hit the United States with damages totaling at $320 billion. If hurricane Ida were to keep moving north, the total damage may increase and surpass hurricane Ivan and Hurricane Rita.

JULY FLOODS CAUSED $2M IN DAMAGE FOR LARIMER COUNTY

Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | A view of flood damage along a highway in Larimier County | https://nara.getarchive.net/media/a-view-of-flood-damage-along-a-highway-in-larimer-county-564245 | Public Domain Dedication. Public Use Notice of Limitations |  https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright

In Larimer County, two floods in July caused over $2 million in damages to properties and roads. A report also concluded that residents should not stay overnight due to the high risk of another potential flooding. Colorado Geologic Survey assessment of the Black Hollow neighborhood in the upper Poudre Canyon stated that instability rates are far too high in the area for any of the residents to spend the night in their homes. Three people have died in the flood with the fourth family member still missing and presumably dead. The flood has destroyed three homes.