You are probably well aware of the dangers of the initial impact of a hurricane, tropical storm or tropical cyclone. You may not be as aware of the dangers of the “after shock” or what is commonly known as inland flooding.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), inland flooding has been responsible for more than half the deaths associated with tropical cyclones in the United States. For example, 1999 brought intense rains and record setting flooding in the Eastern part of the U.S. Fifty of the 56 people who perished in the storm died from inland flooding.
What is Inland Flooding
Inland flooding is severe flooding that occurs in conjunction with major tropical storms and hurricanes. It can extend as far inland from the coast as 100 miles. This hurricane flooding is the result of intense rainfall most often associated with weaker storms which travel slowly or stall over a specific area.
The National Weather Service refers to hurricane flooding as a deadly inland danger. It also has devastating financial impact. Hurricane Katrina produced flooding ranked as one of the most devastating in US history and the most financially shattering natural disaster, costing $81 billion. More than 1,800 people died in that storm, due largely in part to the flooding.
How to be Prepared
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted the 2016 Hurricane Season to be near normal, with at least a 70% expectation of 10-16 named storms, including up to four major hurricanes. The National Weather Service offers these 7 preparation tips:
- When a hurricane is expected, plan for hurricane flooding.
- Determine if you live in a flood zone before the hurricane strikes.
- If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
- Listen to the news for alerts about dangerous road conditions.
- Move to a safe area before it is cut off by flood water.
- Do not attempt to cross flowing water. As little as six inches can cause you to lose control of your car. Two feet of water will carry most cars away.
- Develop a flood emergency action plan with your community leaders.
Protecting Your Home
With more hurricanes expected than in recent years, it is more important than ever to be prepared and be protected. Protecting your home can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. That’s where Hydrological Solutions comes in.
Our Water Inflated Property Protector (WIPP®) provides the ultimate flood protection for both residential and commercial property. We can help ease the worry of protecting your home during natural disasters like hurricanes and associated infland flooding. Contact us now for more information about our flood damage prevention devices.