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<br />financial protection against flood losses which do occur. It is very important to know that most <br />homeowner's insurance policies do not cover losses from flooding. The only way to get <br />federally-backed flood coverage is through the NFIP. It is interesting to note that about one <br />third of all flood insurance claims come from outside of the mapped regulatory floodplain areas <br />(lOO-year floodplains). Homeowners may check with their local insurance agent to find out more <br />about flood insurance coverages and costs. <br /> <br />Emergencv Preparedness <br />There is no substitute for living by the motto of "Be Prepared." By taking some simple and low- <br />cost precautionary measures at home, individuals and families can help to minimize the devastation <br />caused by a flood event, and they may even save their own lives. Section IV presents tips to <br />minimize loss of life and property in the event of a flood. These tips should be studied and <br />discussed by family members before a flood event occurs. <br /> <br />Public Education and Awareness <br />Residents of the community, emergency personnel, hikers, campers, roadway users, and anyone <br />else who visits Buffalo Creek needs to be made aware or reminded of the flash-flood hazards in the <br />area. Community members, the volunteer fire department, the Jefferson County Sheriffs <br />Department, and the Jefferson County emergency management personnel will need to serve as the <br />key players in public education and awareness. <br /> <br />III. FLOOD HAZARD AWARENESS <br /> <br />A. JULY 12. 1996 STORM EVENT <br />The summer storm that produced flash flooding in the Buffalo Creek area was a "convective" type <br />cloudburst event. This type of event is common along the foothills and plains in eastern Colorado. <br />Storms like this form quickly and can produce large amounts of rainfall, hail, and severe weather <br />conditions within a short amount of time. This is the type of event that will pose the most threat for <br />flash flooding in the Buffalo Creek area. Flooding due to snowmelt runoff (or general rains with <br />low rainfall intensities and long durations) will not likely be a major concern for the Buffalo Creek <br />area. <br /> <br />At this time, preliminary information is available describing the July 12, 1996 storm over Buffalo <br />Creek. The information is based on a detailed meteorological analysis performed by Henz <br />Meteorological Services. The analysis was cooperatively funded by Jefferson County, the Colorado <br />Water Conservation Board, the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District, the Colorado <br />Geological Survey, and the Denver Water Board. The storm information is also based on field <br />analyses conducted by the Colorado Water Conseryation Board, the U.S. Geological Survey, and <br />the National Weather Seryice. In addition, information was obtained through rain gages and <br />interyiews with witnesses and local residents. The most intense rainfall amounts are estimated to <br />be at least 3 inches, but up to 5 inches, within about 90 minutes. The storm covered a substantial <br />area of over 20 square miles. To provide a point of reference, the lOO-vear, I-hour precipitation <br />depth for southern Jefferson County is reported to be about 2.1 inches according to the Jefferson <br />County Storm Drainage Design and Criteria Manual. In other words, the July 12 storm had a very <br /> <br />7 <br />