SACRAMENTO – Decisions made now in rebuilding homes destroyed or damaged in the September wildfires can pay big dividends by minimizing future fire and flood damage.

Free publications from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will explain how. They are available at the Disaster Recovery Centers, at FEMA display locations listed below and online by searching for the titles at www.FEMA.gov .

Flood after Fire Risks – FloodSmart.gov describes the importance of buying flood insurance. The insurance is available to both homeowners and renters. 

Standard homeowner and rental insurance may not cover flood damage. Charred, barren ground increases the risk of flash flooding because it is less able to absorb rainfall. Forecasters are predicting above average rainfall this coming rainy season because of an El Niño weather pattern.

Rebuilding After a Wildfire Fact Sheet presents many ways to rebuild safer, stronger and more resilient to wildfires.

FEMA displays are at the following locations:

– Mendo Mill & Lumber Co., 5255 Old Highway 53, Clearlake;

– Four Corners Builders Supply, 14918 Olympic Drive, Clearlake.

These sites have all the information that is provided at the Disaster Recovery Centers about rebuilding and protecting your property and also information about flood insurance. 

To locate the nearest Disaster Recovery Center, go to www.fema.gov/DRC . The publications listed above also are available online for download at www.fema.gov . Click on Search and type in the full title shown above.

Survivors can register for FEMA assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362. The deadline to register is Nov. 23, 2015.

For more information on California’s wildfire recovery, visit www.caloes.ca.gov or www.fema.gov/disaster/4240 .