Winter Flooding Can Occur

1/29/2020 (Permalink)

Even though we haven't had much snow doesn't mean flooding won't occur. 

Floods rank as one of the most common and widespread natural disasters in the United States. No matter where you live, there is a potential for suffering from flood damage.

Just because you haven't experienced a flood in the past, doesn’t mean you won't in the future. In fact, 20% of all claims paid by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) were for policies in low-risk communities. On average, floods cost $3 billion in annual losses in the United States. Commercial flood claims average more than $75,000.

According to the American Red Cross (ARC), floods cause more damage in the U.S. every year than any other weather-related disaster. The ARC offers the following flood safety tips.

• Stay away from floodwaters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.
• If you approach a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.
• Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water. Keep your pets out of the water too.

If you do suffer water damage due to a flood or melting snow in your home or business, contact SERVPRO® of Haverhill/Newburyport. Even minor floods have the potential to cause major damage to a structure when not treated quickly and properly, and the cleanup is often an overwhelming task. The SERVPRO® System is prepared to handle any size disaster. The sooner work begins, the sooner order can be restored.