How Protect Yourself from Experiencing a Flood

Acts of God are hard to avoid, if you happen to live in the path of an extreme weather event. However, understanding the types of floods that occur can help you plan where to buy a home and how to protect your residence against possible flooding.

Assess Risk

The decision to build or buy a home should include research on the area. Is the area that you are considering at risk of flooding? Mountainous regions have hills and valleys, where water tends to accumulate during heavy rain falls or storms. Some regions of the country are more susceptible to flooding than others. Consequently, experts recommend that homeowners do not build structures in areas that tend to flood.

For instance, in some cold regions ice build up can cause a natural dam that breaks and melts, causing rushing water and flash flooding. Coastal areas are at risk of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, tsunamis, and storms. In glacial regions, global warming will cause ice to melt, a contributing factor in flooding. The strong water currents cause serious flood damage and death.

Should you live near a dam? This is an important question. Dams are usually safe. However, over the course of history some dams have broken, leaving thousands dead in the wake of the disaster. In 1975, 62 dams broke in China in the aftermath of a typhoon, killing more than 230,000 people. Before you choose a home, understand the flood risks associated with your home’s location. Preparation is the best way to protect yourself, your family, and your belongings from flood devastation.