Our customer base for ServiceMaster of Gwinnett and ServiceMaster 5 Points lives in the northeast portion of Georgia. For people living in this area, the two most common natural disasters are flooding from torrential storms and hurricane damage. The strongest storms are usually during the summer months and cause flash flooding, especially in areas close to creeks and rivers, but are not limited to those areas. Hurricanes tend to come ashore in Florida and come up the coastline, but they are such large storms that their impact can be felt across the state. We accept the risk of natural disasters happening wherever we choose to live, but how can protect our home from damage when these events do happen?

Flooding is the most common natural disaster in the Unites States. There are two main approaches to protecting your home from flash flooding: preventative measures you can take in advance, and actions to take during a flood event. Georgia, while not in the direct bullseye of hurricanes every year, can still be affected by these powerful storms. Georgia homeowners can take steps to protect their homes during hurricane season in addition to the potential flood damage from intense summer storms.

Let’s start with preventative measures. Consider permanent changes to your home to minimize flood damage. This includes sealing your foundation and basement walls as well as installing flood vents. Invest in storm shutters or impact-resistant windows/doors by replacing them with ones that have wind-rated options. They can shield your home from wind and flying debris. If your basement is prone to flooding, consider using a sump pump. You can install water resistant insulation and drywall to help resist water damage and protect the framing of your home. Be aware that all materials can be damaged by water if flooding is a recurring event, if the floodwater is a large enough quantity or the exposure to the water is long enough. Extract any flood water from the area as quickly as possible and be sure to check the drywall after exposure to water for any damage. In some cases, sewage can back up into the home due to flooding which exposes your family to all sorts of contaminants. Installing a sewer backflow valve will help prevent this from happening.

FEMA refers to a metric called the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) for each property. This is the measure of how high water is expected to rise during flooding. This is important to know because everything in your home that needs to be protected should be moved to an area that is at least 1 foot above this level. Items that need to be moved include utilities (like furnaces and water heaters), electrical systems (like your electrical panel and ground floor outlets), and any personal items that you cannot afford to lose to water damage. Replace any flooring easily damaged by water such as carpet and laminate with something more resistant such as tile on the ground level of your home. Clean gutters, downspouts, and storm drains regularly. Direct downspouts away from the foundation and consider adding extensions. Invest in temporary flood barriers like sandbags, which you can deploy during a flood warning. Grade your lawn so water slopes away from the house. Plants with deep root systems can help absorb excess water. Well-maintained trees and shrubs are less likely to break and damage your house or power lines during a storm. If you do live in a flood zone, invest in flood insurance. Review your homeowner's insurance policy to ensure it covers hurricane damage. Just like standard policies don’t cover flood damage, your homeowner’s insurance may not cover hurricane damage, especially for homes that are not on the coast. Photograph or video valuable belongings for insurance purposes.

Stock up on non-perishable food, bottled water, medications, first-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, and a battery-powered radio for potential power outages. Have a plan for evacuation, including knowing where to go, evacuation routes, and how you will communicate with family members.

During a flash flood (or any other storm where flooding may occur), be sure you are ready to act. Monitor weather reports and flood warnings. Local authorities will often issue instructions during a flood event. For hurricanes, closely follow weather forecasts and warnings issued by the National Hurricane Center and local authorities. If there's time, bring in or secure outdoor furniture, decorations, trash cans, and anything else that could become projectiles in high winds. Move valuables to upper floors to prevent them from being damaged if water gets into the home. Seal basement windows and doors with sandbags or waterproof sealant (if safe to do so). Unplug anything on the ground level that may either be sitting in the water or have a cord hanging down in the water if you do experience flooding. Once flooding does occur, do NOT step in any standing water if there is any chance something that is drawing electricity is also in water. Cut power to the home or enlist the aid of your power company or emergency services before risking exposure to flood water that may be electrified.

Shut off utilities at the main breaker panel if instructed by authorities and it is safe to do so. Do not handle electricity if you must stand in flood water or the panel is damaged by the storm. Since loss of power is a possibility, consider your needs then look at generators. Whole home generators are a great way to keep everything powered in an emergency, but they can be expensive. If you only need to keep a few things powered like your refrigerator or sump pump, a portable generator may give you the power you need while making less of an impact on your wallet. Georgia is one of six states that have the hottest average temperatures in summer and are also at highest risk for flooding according to the Centers for Disease Control. The other five states are Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama. If you become trapped at home without power, this is a factor that may apply to you. If you have an elderly or very young family member or someone with a condition that makes them sensitive to excessive heat (like asthma for example), you may want to invest in a portable air conditioner along with your generator. Emergency services will already be limited so consider any special needs that may occur while you are waiting for help. Evacuate if flooding is imminent and rising quickly. Don't wade or try to drive through floodwaters; they can be contaminated and fast-moving. It is well documented that both vehicles and people on foot can easily become stranded or swept away by flood waters as shallow as a few inches. The water can also be deeper than it appears, making it even more dangerous.

Once the floodwaters recede, make sure everyone is safe then call ServiceMaster of Gwinnett or ServiceMaster 5 Points for your water damage mitigation. Prompt extraction and drying will minimize the amount of damage to your home. We will help you get your property dried out safely and work with your insurance company leaving you free to take care of yourself and your family.