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The Basics About What Causes Flooding | SERVPRO® of Beaver County
4/8/2022 (Permalink)
Regardless of the cause of the flooding, SERVPRO of Beaver County has the team to help you recover from any disastrous event.
There are many weather-related issues that can cause devastation, but what people don’t understand is that flooding is the most devastating. In fact, flooding is the most common natural disaster, and it causes more deaths each year in the United States than hurricanes and tornadoes.
Every U.S. state and territory have been impacted by floods, and they’re usually caused by the same factors. Read on to learn more.
Flash floods are the most common type of flooding, which happens when rain falls so heavily that it can’t be soaked into the ground quick enough. The excess water runs off and can take out many things with it, from yard décor to vehicles.
River floods occur when the riverbanks overflow. This will cause the riverbank to break and flood the surrounding areas.
Coastal floods are similar to river floods, but occur along a coast. If a storm surge or cyclone comes through, it will cause the ocean water levels to rise. Just like the river floods, the banks can overflow and lead to flooding.
Heavy rainfall. As you know, storms can produce a lot of rainfall. They can also stall across a specific area for an extended period. All of which can easily cause flash flooding. Areas that are urban are at a higher risk of flooding because of the amount of asphalt versus the amount of soil.
Oceanic activity. Just like with coastal flooding, storm surges and hurricanes will lead to an extreme increase in water levels, spilling over into nearby areas.
Dams and levees failing. Most people remember the disastrous Hurricane Katrina that happened in 2005. Rather than the hurricane itself, the dams and levees failing is what caused mass devastation to so many areas. This occurred because the pressure overtook the dam’s ability to withhold the water.
Snowmelts and ice dams. Some areas deal with large amounts of snow that accumulates over the winter months. This can lead to a buildup of snow and ice that will at some point melt when the temperatures start to warm up. This can cause ice jams, which happen because rivers become blocked by the ice buildup.
Regardless of the cause of the flooding, SERVPRO has the tools and teams to help your home or business recover from its disastrous effects. Contact us anytime when flooding or water damage makes a mess in your life.