\u201cSo \u200awe start adding these things up, and they’re actually not so small anymore,\u201d said climate scientist Daniel Swain. \u201cThe risk of coastal flooding is actually very high and almost guaranteed.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not only the coast \u2014 inland areas, especially along creeks and rivers, are also at risk due to more extreme rainfall driven by El Ni\u00f1o as well as human-caused global heating, Swain and other experts said.<\/p>\n
Know your risk<\/p>\n
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, compiles flood risk maps<\/a> (you can also use this L.A. County map here<\/a>).<\/p>\n Be aware that they are not comprehensive and can be out-of-date. Also, they include only risk from coastal flooding, such as tides and waves, as well as from rivers, creeks, channels and levies, which risk spilling over after back-to-back severe storms.<\/p>\n But the maps don\u2019t include flood risk from short, heavy downpours or mudflows in recent burn zones, said Brett Sanders, a professor leading UC Irvine\u2019s Flood Lab. So even if your home is not within an official flood zone, you could be at risk.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat used to be grasslands and open space has been covered more and more by asphalt and concrete,\u201d Sanders said. \u201cAnd so more and more water runs off and these flood risks are increasing.\u201d<\/p>\n Flooding diverts traffic on a Long Beach street in 2024. <\/p>\n (<\/p>\n Eric Thayer<\/p>\n \/<\/p>\n Associated Press<\/p>\n )<\/p>\n His lab has been working to figure out<\/a> how to develop more comprehensive flood maps, to better determine risks and reflect changes brought on by a warming climate.<\/p>\n But Sanders said one of your best bets to prepare is low-tech: speak with neighbors or officials who know your local area, and remember how past severe rain events have affected your street or neighborhood. For example, if you live at the base of a hill, or in a basement or ground-level apartment, you\u2019re more likely to see some water flow. That historical memory can help you develop a plan for a worst-case scenario.<\/p>\n \u201cSome common sense local awareness from people is really valuable,\u201d Sanders said. \u201cTalk to somebody that’s been around for a while. Ask them, \u2018Do you remember floods happening here in the past?\u2019 Or, \u2018What happened in 1997 when we had our last really wet El Nino?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Once you know, consider filling sand bags ahead of time, keep drainages around and on your house clear, and think about how flooding may affect your travel routes.<\/p>\n People who live in recent wildfire burn areas are likely through the worst of it, Swain said.<\/p>\n \u201c\u200aI think the initial highest risk period will have passed by this winter,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Still, mudflow is possible. So remember how mud flowed during the storms soon after the 2025 L.A. fires and make sure you have what you need to protect your property and evacuate safely if needed.<\/p>\n Consider flood insurance<\/p>\n Homeowners and renters should take a moment to read their current insurance policies closely. Most homeowners insurance, as well as renters insurance, does not include coverage for flooding (water damage coverage is not flood coverage). Less than 2% of Californians have flood insurance at all.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have it, get a quote, said Amy Bach, director of United Policyholders, a nonprofit that advocates for insurance consumers. Flood insurance is usually a lot cheaper than typical insurance.<\/p>\n \u201c\u200aDon’t make a decision not to carry flood insurance without getting a quote,\u201d she said. \u201cFind out how much it would cost before you decide.\u201d<\/p>\n If you do get flood insurance, it\u2019ll take about a month to kick in, so you want to start looking now before the official start of the wet season in October.<\/p>\n You can get flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program<\/a>, or some private companies. United Policyholders has a variety of resources<\/a> to figure out which product is right for you. Bach also pointed to a tool by the California Department of Insurance<\/a> to compare various insurers based on complaints against them, as well the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes<\/a>, which can help you identify your risks.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it rains, it can flood,\u201d Bach said. \u201cAnd that is more true today than it used to be.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"El Ni\u00f1o is officially with us, and it\u2019s looking like it\u2019s likely going to be a doozy. 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