Key Points of Flash Floods

11/15/2021 (Permalink)

As one of the leaders in disaster clean up and restoration here in Chesapeake, our SERVPRO team knows first hand the kind of damage flash floods can do to an area. We wanted to take some time to help educate you on flash floods and how to be safe when a storm comes through your area.

Flash floods are typically seen when a storm happens suddenly or if there is a series of storms within a few days of each other where the ground can’t absorb all of the water that is falling from the sky. Most commonly during: Sudden large rainstorms, long periods of rain like hurricanes, when it warms up quickly after a heavy snowfall and the snow melts faster than the ground can absorb it, or man-made issues like clogged sewer and storm drains.

Flash floods are quite dangerous and it’s very important to take the proper safety precautions when dealing with a potential flood.

First, it is important to know the difference between a flash flood watch, and a flash flood warning. A watch means that the conditions are right for a flash flood to occur, and a flash flood warning means that a flash flood is about to happen or is currently happening and you should take action. If you find yourself in an area under a flash flood warning here are some things to help prepare you:

• Listen to instructions from local authorities. They will have the most up to date information regarding the situation and you may be required to evacuate an area or move to a sheltered area
• Make sure all of your windows and openings to the outside of your home are shut and keep an eye on the lower levels of your home to make sure there is no water damage occurring.
• If you should find yourself near a body of water during a flash flood warning your best option is to move away from that area immediately until the flood threat subsides, but if you can’t, keep a close eye on the body of water and be ready to leave at any moment if the water starts to rise rapidly.
• You should NEVER try to drive your car or walk through flood waters. It can take only a few inches of water to cause you to completely lose control of your vehicle and a foot of water is enough to make many vehicles completely float. A large amount of flood related deaths occur because of people who’ve been trapped in their cars or get swept away by flood waters.

It’s scary to see rising water around your home but these tips can help keep you and your family safe. SERVPRO of Chesapeake North is proud to offer our emergency services should you discover that your house was damaged in the floods. Please call us as soon as possible so that we can get our clean up and restoration efforts started and try to mitigate any further damage to your home!