Many areas of the country are or have experienced water damage caused by flooding in the last year. The type of disaster originated from different sources including: above normal rainfalls, heavy snowfall, abnormal jet stream patterns, levees breaking, etc. The reason for the emergency may be varied but the end result is the same.

1. Regional Floods.
This phenomenon usually occurs in the winter and spring months when the ground is still frozen or the ground is saturated. Rivers and streams already full from melting snow can quickly overflow as the spring rains arrive. Frozen ground does not allow soil absorption and results in runoff. Minot, North Dakota was one such city that experienced this type of disaster. Businesses lost millions of dollars due to water damage.

2. Flash Floods
Again, periods of intense rainfall in short time frames can produce a flash flood. Land topography plays a critical role. Urban areas are prone to this event because paved streets, underpasses, roofs, and parking lots act as man-made streams. Water will take the path of least resistance. Mountainous areas can also create fast moving currents because of natural canyons and slopes. The often lethal aspect of a flash flood is that the flood wave may have originated miles away from the storm front.

3. Ice-Jams
Rivers that are totally or partially frozen can break apart as a water levels rise. This can create ice flows that can obstruct normal flow as they become lodged on bridge piers, log jams, etc. The resulting impediment can cause water to rapidly rise upstream behind this natural dam. Not only is there a threat from water damage, destruction produced from the ice chunks is possible. Hypothermia is also a hazard that must be taken seriously.

4. Storm-Surges
These events are mostly associated with hurricanes and typhoons. A combination of wind, air pressure, friction can cause large amounts of water to be 'pushed' on shore. Often the storm surge is the most dangerous part of a hurricane because of the large amount of land affected and the hazardous currents generated. The water damage produced can also reach far inland as the surge raises river and stream levels. High tides produce the worst case scenario.

5. Dam and Levee Failure
Dams and levees are designed to prevent excessive flooding by redirecting or managing water flow. The pitfall of that control is the catastrophic failure of the structure. Water and gravity are relentless. Unless carefully maintained, any obstruction can degrade over time. Water seeks the path of least resistance. Those residences that live downstream, in flood plains, or below sea level put their trust in these structures. As seen the spring of 2011, deliberate holes were punched in levees to lessen the water pressure and protect densely populated areas downstream (much to the distress of the local community).

Depending on your locale, awareness of the potential of any one these problems can help you plan to mitigate water damage from flooding. The ideal building location may have hidden consequences. The home owner needs to be aware of that location and take the necessary precautions to preserve life and property.

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