Force 1 Restoration Services - Force 1 Restoration shares information about flash floods

South Windsor, United States - September 29, 2021 / Force 1 Restoration Services /

Understanding flash floods

Statistically, floods kill more people each year in the US compared to tornadoes, hurricanes, or lightning. Flash floods are the most dangerous kind of floods by the virtue of their combined power of the massive water volume and the incredible speed.

Force 1 Restoration discusses flash flooding and its impact so residents can be well-informed and better-prepared.

Flash Flooding

Flash floods occur when heavy rainfall overwhelms the ability of the ground to absorb it. As the normally dry creeks or streams become saturated, water overflows the banks causing rapid rises of water in a short amount of time. This can happen within a span of a few minutes or within 6 hours of the heavy rainfall. As a result, there is barely any time to warn and protect the public.

Urban areas are susceptible to flash flooding as the capacity of the soil to absorb water is greatly reduced by the presence of concrete and buildings. Areas near rivers and large streams, as well as ravines and mountains, are also prone to flash floods.

The effects of flash flooding

Casualties and injuries

Flash flooding is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the US with approximately 200 deaths per year. Over 50% of the flood-related drownings are vehicle-related. The brief warning time that flash floods present do not offer enough time to evacuate, leading to unfortunate casualties.

Property Damage - instant and long-term

The volume and speed of the water carry large debris that can cause instant damage to the structure of residential and commercial buildings. Lives get disrupted as homes become inhabitable and businesses halt. The exposure to water slowly disintegrates contents such as documents, carpets, and furnishings. Mold growth occurs after prolonged exposure to moisture. The engine and other critical parts of vehicles suffer irreparable damage as they remain submerged in water. The long-term water damage leads to massive replacement costs as the repair becomes impossible.

Loss of crucial Infrastructure

Flash floods destroy bridges and roadways as well as power, telephone, and cable lines in their wake. Travel becomes impossible and communication gets disrupted as critical infrastructure becomes severely damaged. Moreover, drinking water becomes unfit for consumption as sewage water pollutes groundwater and makes its way to the pipes.

Sediment & Silt

Floodwaters overflow from rivers and large streams and carry sand, silt, and other debris along with them. As the speed of the flash flood decreases, the water leaves behind debris that blocks roads, again halting all travel. The removal of this debris is another massive expense that the authorities need to bear to enable travel and safety.

Financial loss to property owners

Statistically, just one square inch of floodwater can cause damage of $25,000. Most insurance policies do not cover flood insurance. Property owners must evaluate if their property lies within flood-prone areas and accordingly purchase flood insurance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that runs the National Flood Insurance Program. In the absence of this insurance, property owners can face massive losses due to flash floods.

Trauma

One of the invisible impacts of floods is the emotional and mental trauma that survivors experience. When there is loss of life, it leaves behind a lot of grief and trauma for the family and friends. Flood victims may suffer from anxiety, depression, fear, anger, frustration, sadness, and grief. These symptoms can disrupt daily life functioning, relationships, job productivity, and physical health.

Further risks

Once the floods are over, the risks and dangers are not absent. The contaminated water leads to health issues. Damaged electrical wiring, sharp glass pieces, metal pieces, potholes, and unstable structures are some of the dangers that flood survivors still need to confront and manage. Returning home or restarting a business facility needs the safety approval of the local authorities. Until then, people get displaced and must wait before returning to their normal lives.

Knowing the risks and dangers of flash floods helps empower residents and business owners and enables them to take necessary precautions.

Why Force 1 Restoration Services?

The professionals at Force 1 Restoration Services can quickly arrive at the damaged residence with the personnel, equipment, and training to begin the water removal, drying, and restoration process. The team of professionals can handle the claims process and total restoration project from beginning to end for its clients.