Those who are ready to put their rain gear away in the hopes to enjoy the weather that spring tends to bring might not want to be so hasty. According to the NOAA, an unusually cold and wet winter that has caused deep layers of frozen ground that, when thawed and melted could bring the risk of serious heavy flooding.
Be concerned if your area is experiencing any the following:
- current snowpacks
- deep layers of frozen ground
- swollen rivers and small streams
- saturated soil
- heavy spring storms
In the report, the NOAA warned of specific rivers at risk that include the Mississippi River between Davenport, Iowa and Burlington, Iowa, the Illinois River between Beardstown, Illinois and Henry, Illinois and many smaller rivers in the area. In addition, a potential for exceeding minor river flood levels exists across the upper Midwest and east into New England.
Get Prepared!
It won’t take much for heavy flooding to occur in certain areas, so be prepared and have a bug out bag packed for a speedy evacuation.
To prepare for a flood, you should:
- Avoid building in a floodplain unless you elevate and reinforce your home.
- Elevate the furnace, water heater, and electric panel if susceptible to flooding.
- Install “check valves” in sewer traps to prevent flood water from backing up into the drains of your home.
- Construct barriers (levees, beams, floodwalls) to stop floodwater from entering the building.
- Seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.
- Have a disaster plan in place along with disaster supplies in place.
- Listen to the radio or television for information.
- Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.
- Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons, and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without such typical warnings as rain clouds or heavy rain.
- Do not hide in the basement. If a flash flooding occurs, basements can quickly become death traps.
- Add some sandbags to your preps and have sand on standby in case you need to fill the bags up to protect your home.
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