Category Archive: Flooding

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you’ll know that flood vents can be an important means of mitigating flood damage to your home. But unfortunately for farmers, flood vents can’t do much to mitigate damage to land, equipment, crops or livestock. Still, you can take steps to protect your farm from flood damage.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a detailed list of resources for agriculture managers in the event of a disaster, including flooding. Here are just a few of the tips:

Planning

Planning starts with setting priorities: consider which farm items are most important to save (i.e. the most expensive or irreplaceable items). Well before flooding is a threat, arrange for a safe location to transport animals. If you have dairy cows, consider arranging for temporary milking facilities. Develop a plan for moving grain, equipment and pesticides out of reach of floodwaters.

During a Flood

Livestock can often survive floods if they’re not kept confined in pens. However, if water rise is rapid, animals may refuse to leave their barns and drown as a result. Therefore, it’s important to evacuate earlier rather than later. Long swims through calm water are safer than short swims through swift water.

If time allows, disconnect electric power to all buildings that might flood, and tie down lumber, irrigation pipes, fuel tanks and other loose equipment.

Recovery

You’ll need to take special steps to recondition flood-damaged farm equipment. You’ll also need to make sure your drinking water well has not been contaminated.

If you have crops in the field you can mitigate flood damage through methods such as opening drainage ditches and removing old growth. Harvested grain can possibly be salvaged by quickly separating dry and wet grain portions. Wet gain might be saved with a drier or by spreading it in a dry area as thinly as possible.

After a flood, livestock may be susceptible to particular health issues, such as pneumonia and foot rot. Report any sign of disease and vaccinate animals for common flood-related diseases, such as anthrax, lepto, blackleg and swine erysipelas.

While flood vents can’t mitigate flood damage to your farm as a whole, they might help mitigate damage to farm buildings. Although new construction or improved buildings must meet dry floodproofing requirements, existing buildings may benefit from flood vents. As stated on the FEMA website under Agricultural Structure:

Under some circumstances it may be appropriate to wet-floodproof certain types of agricultural structures when located in wide, expansive floodplains through issuance of a variance. This should only be done for structures used for temporary storage of equipment or crops or temporary shelter for livestock and only in circumstances where it can be demonstrated that agricultural structures can be designed in such a manner that results in minimal damage to the structure and its contents and will create no additional threats to public safety.

At Flood Solutions, we have a variety of FEMA compliant flood vents to choose from, suitable for retrofitting in existing agricultural structures. For more information about whether flood vents are a good choice for your farm buildings, contact us.

As 2013 draws to a close, many parts of the U.S. have already been subjected to severe storms this winter. The good news? If you’ve prepared your family and home for flooding, then you’ve also taken steps to prepare for winter storms.

Part of disaster preparation is putting together an emergency kit. Whether you’re preparing for a flood or a winter storm, you kit should include:

• Three day supply of water
• Three day supply of food
• Flashlight
• Hand crank or battery operated weather radio
• First aid kit
• Medications
• Personal documents
• Cell phones and chargers
• Family and emergency contact information.

In addition to assembling an emergency kit, there are other things you can do to protect yourself. In the case of winter storms, it’s important to dress warmly and minimize travel. You also need to be cautious of carbon monoxide poisoning if using alternative sources for heating and cooking.

In the case of flooding, you need to be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice and head for higher ground. You also need to be aware of hazards such as downed power lines, damaged gas lines and foundation cracks.

See the Red Cross’ safety checklists for flooding and winter storms for a more detailed list of what to include in your emergency kit and other steps you can take to prepare for flooding and winter storms.

Installing flood vents can help minimize damage to the foundation of your home from flooding, whether from tropical storms or melting snow. Our FEMA compliant flood vents are made in the U.S.A. and will not rust or rot—no matter what the weather brings. For more information, contact us.

Colorado continues to recover from its devastating floods. Damage is estimated to surpass $2 billion, with multiple fatalities and over 1,500 homes destroyed.

The bulk of flooding was a result of moist air from the Gulf of Mexico falling on Colorado’s northern Rockies. In some areas, almost a year’s worth of rain fell in four days. As a result, mountainsides collapsed, sending water rushing through canyons and ravines, picking up debris along the way. To make matters worse, floodwaters flowed through mining operations and oil and gas drilling sites, raising fears of water contamination.

Adding to the devastation is that most Coloradans don’t have flood insurance. Many homeowners only get flood insurance when required by their mortgage lender. Because Colorado is not a coastal state and most homes aren’t located on flood plains, the level of flood insurance coverage is low.

It’s also true that homeowners whose homes are not located on flood plains are less likely to install flood vents. But as the Colorado floods demonstrate, even homes not located on flood plains can experience severe flooding as a result of torrential rainstorms, rapid snow melt and even accidental blockages of rivers and waterways.

If you’d like to learn more about installing flood vents in your home, feel free to contact us. Our FEMA compliant flood vents withstand rust, rot and rodents and are available in a variety of models and colors. Each vent comes with easy-to-follow installation instructions and heavy-duty screens.

On the news, we often hear of an area being declared a “major disaster” when struck by flooding, storms, wild fires, tornadoes or other events. What does this declaration mean, exactly, and why is it important?

Only the President has the authority to issue major disaster declarations. These declarations are important because they release an array of federal programs to assist with response and recovery. Usually, the President makes the declaration at the request of a state governor. The governor of the effected state formally requests assistance, and then state and federal officials conduct a preliminary damage assessment.

Generally, the assessment must show that the disaster is so severe, state and local officials can’t handle it. In the assessment, officials consider factors such as amount and type of damage, impact on infrastructure, threats to public health and safety, and impacts to essential government services and functions.

More information about the declaration process is available on FEMA’s website.

Of course, it’s wise to take steps to prevent and mitigate damage from these types of events well before they’re declared a major disaster. When it comes to flooding, an important way to mitigate damage is to install flood vents. Flood vents are installed in the foundation of your home, which allows water to flow through. The idea of letting flood water into your home is counterintuitive, but it helps to protect your home’s structural integrity by more evenly distributing water pressure.

Flood Solutions FEMA compliant flood vents are made of heavy-duty aluminum and built to withstand rut and rot and rodents. For more information about our flood vents, contact us.

After the horrific images of flooding and damage from Hurricane Sandy, it’s nice to see some normalcy return to New York beaches.

Rockaway Beach in Queens was particularly hard hit by Sandy, with many homes and businesses destroyed. The storm pulled apart 2.5 miles of wooden boardwalk and disrupted electricity and train services for weeks.

Today, Rockaway is bouncing back, which is great news for residents and visitors. Naturally, part of the recovery effort has focused on mitigating damage from future storms. For example, crews are rebuilding the barrier wall separating the beach from homes, but this time they’re driving the pile footings 25 feet deep into the ground.

This FEMA video provides a quick overview of some of the recovery efforts:

There’s a lot more work to do. Construction equipment and crews are still on the scene, and some beach areas remain off-limits to swimming. For up-to-date information on the Rockaway beach and boardwalk, visit the City of New York Parks & Recreation.

From the Rockaway recovery effort, we can take away this valuable lesson: it’s cheaper and more effective to mitigate flood damage before disasters occur, rather than trying to fix things afterwards.

As a manufacturer of flood vents, we’ve taken this lesson to heart. Flood vents are simple to install and, compared to the value of your home, relatively inexpensive. Yet the installation of flood vents can make the difference between a home you can salvage, and a home beyond repair.

To learn more about our FEMA compliant food vents, contact us.

We use flood maps to assess the risk of flooding. If our home or business is located in a high flood risk area, most of us will take steps to prevent and mitigate future flood damage.

But sometimes floods occur well outside high-risk areas. In June, large parts of Alberta, Canada were hit with unexpected flooding when rivers overflowed their banks. Alberta is a useful case study in how floods can develop rapidly and unexpectedly, even in areas not prone to flooding.

The Alberta floods resulted from a convergence of several factors:

Unusual weather pattern

One of the biggest contributors to the Alberta floods was an unusual weather pattern. A moisture laden weather system became trapped between a high-pressure system to the north and the Rocky Mountains on the west. Winds blowing from the east also prevented the wet weather system from moving. As a result, this system sat in place and created a constant downpour of rain over the mountains for several days.

Saturated soil

The area had already experienced several days of thunderstorms, so the ground was saturated with moisture. In addition, much of the ground (especially at higher elevations) remained frozen just below the surface, further reducing its ability to absorb water. As a result, more water flowed into streams and rivers.

Snow melt

The constant heavy rains sped up the rate of snow melt on the mountains, further adding to the volume of water moving downstream.

Steep watershed

The shape of the land also contributed to flood conditions. The watershed area for the region is relatively long, narrow and steep. Consequently, the land has less time to absorb water, and the water travels faster, increasing its power.

It took all of these factors combined to produce severe flooding in southern Alberta. It demonstrates that, given the right set of circumstances, flooding can happen almost anywhere.

Whether your home is in a high or low risk area, a great way to mitigate flood damage is to install flood vents. Flood vents allow flood waters to move through your home, instead of creating outside pressure that can permanently damage your home’s structural integrity. Flood Solutions FEMA compliant flood vents are easy to install and guaranteed not to rust or rot. For information about our flood vents, contact us.

Jason Lindesmith, Social Media Lead for Public Affairs, FEMA, recently blogged about how technology has helped him get through several disasters, including Hurricane Irene and Hurricane Sandy. In his post, he reveals the technology tools he found most useful.

1. Staying powered up

Lindesman found that one of his best tools was a weather radio, especially when his power was knocked out for several days. His model had small solar panels and a hand crank for charging as well as multiple ports for charging other devices. Cranking his radio for 1-2 minutes would give him a 20-30 minute charge on his cell phone.

2. Useful emergency apps

Lindesmith particularly liked the Red Cross Hurricane app, the FEMA app and Microsoft HelpBridge. But don’t wait for a storm to hit before downloading them. Because Lindesmith had downloaded the apps well in advance, he was able to access all previously downloaded safety information, even when cell networks were unavailable.

3. Access to information is key

During Hurricane Irene, Lindesmith found himself relying heavily on social media to get the latest updates from towns, cities, school districts, local elected officials, local media, the department of transportation and others.

But he discovered that non-techie approaches were equally helpful. He learned a lot about the local situation just from talking to neighbors. He suggests getting to know your neighbors now so you can more easily share information should a disaster occur.

While you’re getting technology ready, don’t forget to take preventative steps to mitigate damage to your home. Flood vents are a great way to reduce the risk of structural damage when flood waters rise. Our FEMA compliant food vents are constructed in the U.S.A. For more information about Flood Solutions flood vents, contact us.

In addition to devastating your home, floods can also contaminate your private water well. If your well is not tightly capped, sediment, sewage and other contaminates can enter it as floodwaters rise.

If there’s any doubt about the safety of your well water supply, follow local health department drinking and bathing advisories and have your well water tested before consuming or using. If your well water is contaminated, the well and its distribution pipes will need to be disinfected.

The disinfection process usually consists of flushing the well with fresh water and then adding bleach. The water-bleach solution is then distributed through the water system and left for several hours. The well and pipes are then again flushed with clean water, followed by further water testing. For more detailed instructions and information, contact your local health department. The EPA also has information on what to do with your well after a flood.

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help prevent water well contamination from floodwater:

• Try to have surrounding land slope away from the water well.
• Extend well casing to a higher vertical level.
• Ensure the well’s surface seal is in good shape.
• Ensure that backflow prevention valves are in place.
• Ensure the well has a tight fitting, waterproof cap. While many wells require a vented cap for proper operation, you may be able to replace the vented cap with a waterproof cap or plug the vent holes while the well is not in use.
• Remove livestock wastes, fertilizers and pesticides from flood prone areas.
• If possible, empty household septic systems before flooding occurs.

For more tips, see the information sheet on what to do with your well before a flood. Although these measures could reduce the risk of well water contamination from flooding, there are no guarantees. It’s still important to have your water tested before using.

Of course taking steps to reduce the risk of well water contamination is only one way to minimize the impact of flooding. Another good preventative measure is to install FEMA compliant flood vents. Properly installed FEMA compliant flood vents have saved many homes from the structural damage that often accompanies flooding.

At Flood Solutions, we manufacture FEMA compliant flood vents in three different models and various colors. We even sell them unfinished so you can paint them to match your color scheme. They’re also insect and rodent resistant and come with easy to follow installation instructions. For more information about protecting your home with flood vents, contact us.

Spring weather often exacerbates flooding as a result of rainstorms and snowmelt. This year, the U.S. Midwest has been hit particularly hard.

Three months ago, the area was suffering from drought conditions that had lasted through the summer. Today, heavy rainfall, as much as eight inches a week in some areas, has led to rivers overflowing their banks.

Here’s a report from CBS News on the flooding:

Whether your home is subject to annual spring flooding or not, flood vents can be a great way to protect your home from structural damage should flooding occur. Flood vents allow floodwater to flow through your home rather than around it, and this helps equalize water forces between the inside and outside of your home. As a result, your home’s structural integrity is less likely to be compromised.

At Flood Solutions, we’ve been designing and manufacturing flood vents for years. All our flood vents are FEMA compliant and made of extruded or cast aluminum, guaranteed not to rust or rot. For more information about installing FEMA compliant flood vents in your home, contact Flood Solutions.