Why Do Floods Happen? 5 Common Causes of Flooding

5 min read

How do floods happen? There are several causes of flooding, and it’s not uncommon to experience flooding even in the absence of heavy rain or storms. If you live in an area that experiences regular flooding or know someone who does, you may be wondering how to prevent flooding in your home and how to prepare if your home floods. Whether you’re preparing for your first flood or have experienced this natural disaster before, read on to learn about five common causes of flood damage and what you can do to prevent it from happening again.

1) Tropical storms and hurricanes

Flooding can happen after a tropical storm or hurricane has passed. The storm's rain may trigger floods by causing sudden heavy downpours, or by hampering drainage systems. Flooding can also be caused by the storm's winds blowing water over the ground and into rivers, streams and lakes. Storm surge from a hurricane is another cause of flooding. It occurs when high waves from the ocean come inland and flood low-lying coastal areas.
Flood restoration professionals are often called in to help after a flood damages water damages restoration experts. Clean up efforts usually focus on removing items that have been damaged by water, such as furniture, clothing, etc., and cleaning up any remaining moisture or standing water that could continue to damage household items.

2) Snowmelt

Snowmelt occurs when winter snow and ice melts and percolates through soil and rock. As the water seeps out, it can find its way onto a property, causing flooding. There are many ways for snowmelt to cause flooding damage to your property. For example, if your home is near a creek or river that overflows from melting snow then you may have water in your basement. Another example is if you live in an area where there is a lot of steep terrain, such as mountains or hillsides, then there could be substantial runoff from the water above the ground pooling on your property because there is nowhere for it to go once it gets down to lower elevations.

3) Broken levees and dams

The most common cause of flooding is a broken levee or dam, which are used to control the flow of water and keep it in its proper place. When these levees break, they release water that has built up behind them and people downstream can experience sudden flooding. This type of flooding is usually dealt with by local agencies that specialize in flood restoration and water damages restoration.
If you live in an area prone to flooding, like the Midwest or the Texas Gulf Coast, you need to be aware that when a levee breaks nearby or upstream from your home there will be some potential for damage.
 

4) Heavy rains

Heavy rains can lead to flooding when water levels in rivers, streams, and lakes are too high for the surrounding land to absorb. That causes the water to overflow onto nearby land. The worst floods usually happen when a storm hits an area that has been saturated by days or weeks of rain.
Flooding can also happen after a disaster like a hurricane or tornado strikes an area. Water damages restoration professionals may be needed if your home suffers water damage from floods or other disasters.
If you have flood damage and need assistance with flood restoration, contact us  Xtreme controls today!
 

5) Flash floods

The most common cause of a flood is heavy rain. An excessive amount of water in an area can cause the ground to become saturated, which will then lead to surface water flooding. This is why it is important to have your home prepared for a flood if you live in an area that has increased risk for flooding. It's also important to know what type of flooding you're experiencing and act appropriately.
Flood restoration professionals are trained on how to properly handle water damages and can help you with any needs after a flood has occurred. A lot of people don't realize that floods can happen at any time, so be sure to create a plan for your home and stay aware for weather alerts before disaster strikes!
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Scarlett Watson 1.5K
I am a professional writer and blogger. I’m researching and writing about innovation, Blockchain, technology, business, and the latest Blockchain marketing tren...

I am a professional writer and blogger. I’m researching and writing about innovation, Health, technology, business, and the latest digital marketing trends. 

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