FLOODING!

"Because we are in the middle of a bone dry desert -- there is really no chance of flooding in our area." -- WRONG! According to the Clark County Flood Control District website, Clark County has experienced at least 11 floods since 1960, costing more than a million dollars each. During this same period, 31 lives were lost in 21 separate flash flood events. While floods can occur here during any month of the year, the most damaging storms occur between July and September.

Today, March 20th, the NOAA released it's Spring Flood Outlook, which spurred me to post this. To see if your home is in a FEMA flood district visit FloodSmart.gov or FEMA's Flood Map Service Center where you can search by typing in your address to determine your Flood risk. If your own , you may be required by Federal law to carry the mandatory Flood insurance on your property (this is different than your regular personal property insurance). For instance, I live in a High Risk Flood area, determined by FEMA to have a 1% annual flood risk and a 26% risk of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage. So that means I have a 1 out 4 chance of having my property washed over every 30 years. Because of this, I must carry minimum FEMA insurance that will cover the cost of my home in the event of a flood. If you do carry flood insurance on your property, be sure to check to see if your personal property is covered in this policy ... In many cases, folks think their personal property is covered by their Flood Insurance Policy, when in reality only their building is covered. Unfortunately for these people, they find this out after the flood has washed everything away. Bottom line -- TALK TO YOUR INSURANCE AGENT -- KNOW YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE, and keep in mind that it takes 30 days on average for a Flood policy to take effect.

If you have questions about your property and flooding visit FEMA's Flood Website and the County's Regional Flood Control District's Flood Threat Recognition System which collects hydrometeorologic data primarily for the purpose of detecting situations which could cause flooding. There are some really cool live interactive map tools on this website, which include up to date Rain, Water Level maps, and some other related things.

VOTE for your favorite Flood Awareness License Plate online at RFCD's License Plate Billboard Contest. The winning plate will be featured on Billboards around the area.

Keeping Families in their Homes -- A Message From Congressman Porter

Here is a message I recently received from Congressman Jon Porter, regarding foreclosures in Nevada:

"I have introduced legislation to implement temporary mortgage financing assistance for those struggling to keep their homes out of foreclosure. Under current law, state and local governments can issue bonds to finance new mortgage loans for first-time homebuyers. My legislation will expand the use of this program to include refinancing of sub-prime loans, allowing states to issue up to $15 billion in additional bonds over the next three years."

On Saturday March 29th, John Porter will be hosting a mortgage counseling workshop at the University of Southern Nevada from 9:00AM to 12:00PM. Please feel free to contact his District Office for additional information at 387-4941.

Volunteer Ops on Public Lands

JUST RELEASED!!! VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ON PUBLIC LANDS!!!

Upcoming events in April 2008

• Saturday, April 12, 2008- The National Park Service will be hosting a litter clean-up at the 33 Hole Overlook in Lake Mead National Park.


• Friday, April 18, 2008- In celebration of Earth Day the U.S Forest Service will be hosting a restoration event in a lower elevation area of the Spring Mountains.


• April 19, 2008- In celebration of Earth Day the Bureau of Land Management will be hosting a volunteer event. Projects include a litter clean-up and painting an old foundation in Ash Spring.

Volunteer Positions

• Seed Collection Volunteers Needed -- The National Park Service is looking for volunteers to collect native plant seeds at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Volunteers are needed to collect seeds for approximately 10 hours a week. For more information contact Nancy Bernard with Lake Mead National Recreation Area at 702-293-8714


• Water Safety Volunteers Needed -- The National Park Service is looking for Water Safety Volunteers. Water Safety Volunteers provide assistance on Launch Ramp and serve as Deck Hands and Boat Operators. Volunteers will provide boating and water safety information, assist visitors with water safety issues, promote preventive accident and drowning message and provide park information to the public. Volunteers with appropriate training and certification, may operate a National Park Service (government owned) vessel and/or vehicle at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. For more information contact Nancy Bernard with Lake Mead National Recreation Area at 702-293-8714


• Campground Host Volunteers Needed -- The National Park Service is looking for VIP Campground Host Volunteers. VIP Campground Hosts greet visitors and answer questions about the campground, the national park, and the surrounding areas in an informed and courteous manner. In addition, the Hosts check for payment stubs for nightly stays. While VIP Campground Hosts may perform other duties, including radio dispatch, minor emergency services, light maintenance grounds grooming and restocking of supplies in the restrooms, these responsibilities constitute only 20% of the volunteer time. The majority of the volunteer time (80%+) will be spent greeting, visiting, disseminate information to visitors and checking for proper payment of campground fees. For more information contact Nancy Bernard with Lake Mead National Recreation Area at 702-293-8714


• Trainings Volunteers who have attended any of our events or are currently operational volunteers can sign up for the First Aid/CPR/AED class that will be held Tuesday, April 1, 2008. Registration for this class will close Tuesday, March 18, 2008. For more information contact Amy Ansari at 702-895-5484Detailed information will be posted to the website as it becomes available.

In the meantime, please mark your calendars and visit http://www.getoutdoorsnevada.org.