Much of the southeast is at risk of massive flooding during the 2018 hurricane season, even as many areas struggle to recovery from Hurricane Matthew in 2016. This month, Hurricane Florence touched down in the Carolinas and other parts of the country. Unfortunately, it’s not only Florence that will likely cause major flood damage to homes across the United States.
“As if there were not enough tropical concerns with Florence bearing down on the Carolinas, Olivia taking a cruise through Hawaii and Isaac on a path through the Lesser Antilles and Caribbean, we have a feisty mass of showers and thunderstorms taking aim at the Gulf of Mexico his week,” said AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
Obviously, Florida residents can’t stop hurricanes from coming. However, you can make sure your home is as prepared as possible for hurricane season.
How To Prepare for the 2018 Hurricane Season
Make sure that you’re staying on top of your home’s hurricane preparedness before storms approach. And when it comes to hurricane preparedness, don’t cut corners. Approximately 69% of owners say that poor contractor performance is the single biggest reason for project failure. When it comes to household hurricane prep and flooding prevention or repair, it’s imperative that you work with experienced water damage restoration professionals and contractors.
Here are some additional steps you can take to prevent flooding and hurricane damage to your home:
- Identify Your Home’s Flood Level — If enough water reaches the level of your floor and goes an inch above that level, your home will be significantly damaged by all that water. Finding the proper flood level measurement for your home is an essential step in flood prevention.
- Safeguard in-home electrical systems — Switches, circuits breakers, wiring, and sockets need to be safeguarded prior to any massive storm. Keep these items at least a foot above the expected flood level in your area and modify your furnace, water heater, and other anchored units to keep them above the flood level as well.
- Modify your water valves — A flooded sewer system can cause major backup inside your home. It’s best to install an interior or exterior backflow valve to better control the water. Additionally, it’s important to install valves on every pipe that enters the home.
Be sure to stay up-to-date with all the local weather warnings in your area, and stay safe. If you want to work with water damage professionals and minimize flood damage, give us a call right away.