We often associate flooding with spring, summer and fall seasons. Yet flooding can also happen in the winter. Unlike flooding from hurricanes or tsunamis, winter flooding can happen anywhere, not just in coastal regions.
Ice jams and rapid snowmelt are two common causes of winter floods. Ice jams occur when frozen river surfaces break into large pieces of ice. These pieces float downstream and accumulate at obstruction points, resulting in flooding.
Sudden snow thaws can produce significant amounts of water runoff. With the ground still frozen, it can’t absorb all the water. It quickly overwhelms usual water pathways, such as lakes, streams and rivers.
To learn more about winter flooding, take a look at FEMA’s winter flooding fact sheet.
If your home is situated within reach of lakes, streams or rivers that could flood as a result of ice jams or rapid snow melt, our FEMA compliant flood vents can help reduce damage to your home. To learn more about protecting the structural integrity of your home with flood vents, contact us.
