And already, there are several hurricanes predicted for Southern states, including Florida and the Carolinas.
In short, homeowners should brace themselves for a wet summer, including potential flooding.
The good news is there are things you’re free to do about it.
Credit:Getty Images / Johner Images
FLASH is a national nonprofit aimed at protecting homes and safeguarding families through education.
Toprotect against floods, they suggest starting with an assessment of your homes risk.
What I tell people is go outside andstudy your water flow, she says.
Grab your umbrella, because its best to do this when the weather is bad.
Is water jumping the leaders or gutters?
Determine if any walls, floors, or foundation feel damp or display cracks or stains.
Is water puddling on the property?
you’re able to do that by looking atFEMAs Flood Map Service Center.
Klosterman suggests checking it once every five years.
Redirect Water from Your Home
To start, check that the draining around your home is working properly.
Klosterman suggestscleaning your guttersat least twice a year: once in the spring and just before winter hits.
Gutters are designed to guide rainwater off your roof and away from your home, she says.
Clogged gutters allow water to collect on your roof and can cause structural damage, mold, and rotting.
Being proactive with this easy task is one of the best flood control methods.
Next, verify your downspouts are pointing away from the home.
If you have ongoing drainage problems with your yard, consider a more permanent solution.
Improve Landscaping
you might alsouse landscaping to promote good drainageof the soil around your home.
Landscaping berms and specific kinds of plants help.
Talk to your local extension office about which kind.
Do you have a lot of concrete?
Can you augment it with pebbles?
Klosterman says, in general, your lawn shouldslope away from the house.
If this isnt the case, you might consider having your lawn graded.
Or else, you’ve got the option to redirect water with grass barriers.
Klosterman also suggests keeping a gap of about six inches between mulch flower beds and your homes siding.
Your plant bed should be a few inches lower than the trench to protect from water runoff.
If you have a basement, you might consider installing a sump pump.
Sump pumps will remove excess water if a flood does occur, Splendor says.
Klosterman says to confirm the sump pump has a battery backup.
She also suggests installing a smart backwater valve to prevent water from backing up into your home.
The right tile can be resistant to flooding, mold and/or mildew.
It is also much easier to keep clean, she says.
Use Smart Devices
There are also several ways to protect your home using smart technology to monitor for flooding.
Cameras, apps, AI, and sensors can detect leaks and other water issues, Kostiw says.
When flooding occurs sewers can overfill, pushing water back through your plumbing system, Klosterman says.
This is especially good for appliances in the basement, such as washers, dryers, and deep freezers.
Replacing your appliances can be costly if not covered under the common peril of flooding, Klosterman adds.
The next step is to have a plan in place for braving a flood.
Create a list and that way you don’t forget, Chapman-Henderson says.
Pick items off the floors and roll up your rugs to keep them dry.
Next, ensure your appliances are unplugged to avoid short-circuiting them.
If you have sandbags, this is the time to place them around the home.
Be sure to follow a guide for proper and effective placement.
This is especially important for electric vehicles, including golf carts, Chapman-Henderson says.
In your flood kit, keep cleaning supplies such as bleach, mops, and buckets on hand.
You might also include fans and extension cords.
For a full list of items to include in a flood kit,visit FEMAs website.
Document, document, document; take photos of every detail for insurance purposes, Kostiw says.
Notify the insurance provider and understand the procedures to initiate a claim.
Hydraulic jacks are used and can slowly and evenly raise your house to prevent structural damage.
Homes that have been raised often qualify for reduced insurance premiums.
Perhaps one of the most effective long-term solutions is a drainage system.
Halpert, M. (2024, June 3).U.S.
Climate Outlook for June 2024.
