Recent snows helped to push Jefferson County’s snowpack above normal. That can be a boon for the summer wildfire season but a problem for spring flooding, according to Doug Dodge, the Disaster and Emergency Services coordinator for Jefferson County.
“The specific volume of snow available is certainly something to keep an eye on,” he said by email, noting that it was 110 to 112 percent of normal late last week. “But the more important question is how all that stored water is released.”
The rate of release should be slow enough to avoid major flooding, Dodge wrote, if overnight temperatures remain below freezing, there is no rapid warming and we avoid a “rain on snow event.”
“On the other hand, if any of those things change, we certainly could face a major event that folks should be prepared to face,” he said.
“First, thawing temperatures can result in ice jambs as river ice breaks up, which can lead to flooding,” he continued. “Second, depending upon the timing and magnitude of warming temperatures, and whether or not those warming temperatures occur with a rain on snow event, rapid snowmelt can result in serious flooding issues. Finally, with all of the snow that exists at lower elevations in town, there is the possibility for localized flooding due to blocked or inadequate drainage.”
The good news, Dodge wrote, is that there is still time for people to prepare. He suggested that people who live in flood-prone areas consider buying flood insurance now, as policies generally take 30 days to go into effect.
According to a recent National Weather Service news release, insurance can be purchased from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Flood Insurance Program at www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program.
Dodge also suggested stocking up on sandbags and sand — “Always buy more bags than you think you need, as they don’t go as far as one would think” — as well as extra food, water, medicine and other necessities “in the event you can’t get in or out for an extended period.”
“Finally, it’s extremely important to check on your family or neighbors who may not have the ability to fully prepare for themselves,” he wrote. “Jefferson County has a small but dedicated group of first responders who will make every effort to help those in need, but those responders are few in number, so the more personal preparation we can all perform the safer each of us will be.”
For more information on the safety measures Dodge recommends, call the Disaster and Emergency Services office at 406-225-4035.
