5 Facts You Should Know About Flooding

by Kevin Smith Author

Flooding is a crazy and oftentimes uncontrollable natural disaster. It's especially scary because oftentimes, in a huge storm or flash flood, there's only so much you can do to protect your home and then it's out of your hands. It won't take long for rising waters to soak up your life as you knew it. Thankfully, there are reliable and responsive companies specializing in emergency flood cleanup in Smyrna, GA, so you'll never be alone. Here are five fast facts about flooding you should be aware of, so that you're more well-informed for and well-prepared of this devastating disaster.

Top Natural Disaster

Out of all the wild weather in the United States, floods rank #1 in terms of losses and catastrophic damage. Flood losses nationwide averaged $2.4 billion per year over the last decade, which goes to show just how severe and significant floods can be. That's why it's best to know what you're in for, especially if you live in a high-risk flood zone.

5 Million Americans

This is how many people in the U.S. are protected by flood insurance. Unfortunately, it's common for residents to not realize their homeowners insurance doesn't cover floods until it's too late. Because floods can happen quickly, it's always better to invest in the appropriate insurance rather than hope the water doesn't reach your home, especially if you live in a valley or low-lying area near water.

6 Inches

That's all it takes for a person to get knocked over in floodwaters. A mere 6 inches of moving water can be enough to bring someone to their feet in fast-moving floodwaters. Personal safety should be of your utmost concern and priority during any floods, as your home can be repaired but you can't replace the loss of human life.

Widespread Problem

Americans have known all too well the chaos and devastation floods can cause for many years. In fact, floods and wildfires are the most widespread natural disasters that affect the country. Over the course of history, 90% of all U.S. natural disasters declared by the President were associated with some level of flooding.

Depressing Damage

After the storm is over, perhaps the hardest part is yet to come. That's when homeowners have to survey the damage left behind by floodwater. As warned by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), just 1 inch of water is enough to cause upwards of $10,000 worth of damage. That's why emergency flood cleanup in Smyrna, GA, is crucial to communities that are affected by this heartbreaking ordeal, as well as other sources of water damage such as burst pipes and water main leaks.