Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Flood Precaution and Preventative Measures



This year’s winter is finally drawing to a close.  A thicker than usual snow pack has sparked concern over possible flooding as it warms up through the spring.  The national weather service has forecasted temperatures to be below normal and models indicate a gradual thaw.  This may seem less than ideal because the snow will hang around longer but it’s great news for those worried about flooding.  A slow thaw will give the rivers and streams time to ferry away the water at a lower level preventing flooding.  Although the forecast is for a gradual melt, we could still see flooding.  The worst case scenario would be for several days of heavy rain in April before the ground has fully thawed.  If this happens, flooding of level ground is certain to happen. 

There are steps for homeowners to take in flood prone areas. 
Buy flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Plan if you live in a flood plain.
  • Elevate the furnace, water heater, air conditioner and other utilities that are ground level.
  • Install "check valves" in sewer traps to prevent flood water back ups.
  • Construct interior barriers to stop low level floodwater from entering basements.
  • Read Living in the Floodplain: What You Need to Know - Who You Need to Know .  This publication is available from the WDNR.

All homeowners should also consider doing the following regardless of if they have flooded recently or not.

  • Seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.
  • Remove inventory or important papers and possessions from the basement.
  • Back up important computer files and store in a secure off site location.

These simple steps can prevent costly damage to homeowners and make flood recovery easier and faster.

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