Floods in New Windsor, NY

Everywhere is a flood zone, but areas near bodies of water or coastlines, such as New Windsor, NY, are particularly at risk. It’s best to assess the risk of flooding and what to do before, during, and after a flood to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones.

Discover how you can best prepare for a flood and how ADU can help you today!

Does New Windsor, NY, Experience Flooding?

With its location on a river and a coastline, New Windsor and its neighboring New York areas are susceptible to flooding.

Likewise, with the addition of global warming, locations like New Windsor are even more likely to experience flooding when melting glaciers and rising sea levels occur.

Is New Windsor, NY, in a Flood Zone?

New Windsor isn’t always at a high risk of flooding, but its risk level is moderate, meaning that over the next 30 years, floods will likely increase in the New Windsor area, impacting the day-to-day life of the local community.

While only a relatively small number of people currently live on exposed land, the risk of flooding will only increase as the threat of climate change becomes a reality.

What Types of Flooding Affect New Windsor, NY?

• Flash – Also known as inland floods, short-term but high-intensity downpours cause this type of flooding, usually a part of thunderstorms or hurricanes. Moderate rainfall over a few days, brought on by lesser storms, also causes inland floods.
• Tidal – Tidal flooding derives from standard variations in the fluctuating lunar cycle. Should the tide rise too high, it can flood the local area.
• Coastal – Usually caused by storm surge, coastal floods occur when the storms cause a rise in water levels. A storm surge will occur when a mighty tropical storm or hurricane approaches land. The surge then heightens at the water’s edge flooding the coastal areas.

What Areas in New Windsor Are Most at Risk of Flooding?

The areas most a risk are those situated by the water. Likewise, those on the lower ground will also likely suffer from flooding.

What Are the Main Hazards Associated With Flooding?

Polluted Flood Water

Following a flood, floodwater might contain sewage. Eating or drinking any item contaminated by such water could introduce E.Coli or Salmonella into your body, causing diarrheal disease. Ensure you wash your hands thoroughly and discard any contaminated food or drink.

Health Hazards

Infectious diseases such as hepatitis A, typhoid fever, and Leptospirosis pass through floodwater, with severe health consequences. Likewise, with so much water acting as a breeding ground for mosquitos, mosquito-borne disease can also spread more quickly.

Disruption of Services

After a flood, roads will likely crowd, making it difficult for emergency services to reach people in need, alongside plumbers and electricians aiming to restore power or remove sewage.

Property Damage

With flooding comes property damage, which can affect both the internal and external components of your home, damage including but not limited to:

• Furniture
• Valuable objects
• Walls
• Flooring
• Leaks
• Carpet
• Basements
• Foundations

How Do I Keep My Family Safe During a Flood in New Windsor?

While New Windsor has thus far managed to avoid continuous flooding, you must prepare adequately in the event of a flood to prevent adverse aftermath effects.

 Before the Flood

• Get flood insurance – Not all homeowners know that their insurance doesn’t cover flooding, so ensure you have specific flooding insurance to make the aftermath of flooding that bit easier for you and your family.
• Check Your Flood Zone – You can’t plan for a flood without knowing the risks first, so check your FEMA flood map to see if you are low-risk, moderate-risk, or high-risk.
• Conduct An Inventory – Make a list and take photos/videos of all the primary household objects and valuables. Then, store these items or make copies for safekeeping.
• Store Important Documents – Make copies of birth certificates, passports, vital medical records, and insurance documents and keep them dry. For extra protection, keep the original documents in a watertight safety deposit box.
• Check Utilities – Ensure you elevate and anchor your electrical panels, sockets, heating systems, propane tanks, and wiring to minimize damage and decrease the risk of electrocution.
• Waterproof The Basement – Install a working sump pump and water alarm to protect the basement from flooding. Then, ensure you have a battery-operated backup pump if the power fails.
• Clear Debris – Keeping your gutters clean minimizes additional damage risk.
• Move Furniture – When flooding is imminent, move your furniture and any valuables to a safe place, such as the highest floor of your house.

During the Flood

• Stay Informed – Ensure you listen to the radio or television to check for updates on your area so you can do what is safest. Alternatively, use the internet or social media for information and updates.
• Get To High Ground – Wherever you are at the time of a flood hitting, move to higher ground if you can.
• Follow Evacuation Orders – If you’ve adequately prepared, most of your home will be secure, so lock your home when you leave and get to safety immediately.
• Practice Electrical Safety – If you haven’t been able to elevate your appliances and wiring, avoid those areas, especially if they become submerged in water.
• Avoid Flood Waters Completely – Never walk through flood waters; it only takes 6 inches of flood water to make you fall. Never drive into flooding roadways, either. Turn around, don’t drown!

 After the Flood

• Wait For Guidance – Wait for the guidance of officials before re-entering your area or home.
• Avoid Flood Water – Just as during a flood, flood water post the event can be just as dangerous with hidden debris and potential electrical currents.
• Wear Protection – When cleaning up after a flood (and only when it’s safe), wear protective layers, such as boots, helmets, eyewear or goggles, work gloves, and long pants to protect your body and prevent injury.
• Be Aware of Your Food – Don’t eat spoiled food. Ensure you throw away any food that might have come into contact with flood water.
• Seek Cleaning Help – Likely, there’ll now be the presence of mold in your home, among other damage, so take care of yourself and act fast by seeking professional assistance.
• Check Water Guidance – Your drinking water can sometimes become contaminated after a flood. So check with your local public health department to determine if your drinking water is safe.

Common Types of Property Damage Caused by Floods in New Windsor

Interior Water Damage

When flood water enters your home, the extent of the damage can be significant. Your walls, floorboards, and carpets can suffer water damage, as well as your objects and furniture.

Leaks

If your home has suffered from a flood, there will likely be leaks, especially if the flooding is also a result of a natural disaster like a hurricane. The damage to your property results in water getting into your house long after the flood, potentially causing more internal damage.

Sewage Backup

When flooding occurs, the excess water can cause a sudden flow into the sewage system, which can cause sewage to back up into homes. When the water on the street pours into the sewage system, even after a heavy storm, the water can surface in basements, and if it can’t drain properly, the sewage system floods.

Mold

Mold can be highly hazardous, and should you have it in your home, you and your family are at a greater risk of:

• Congested nose
• Sore throat
• Coughing or wheezing
• Burning eyes
• Skin rash

Importantly, those with respiratory conditions like asthma are at a higher risk of severe reactions.

Suffering From Flooding Damage in New Windsor, NY? ADU Can Help

Don’t let interior water damage get in the way of your life! While the damage from a flood can feel overwhelming, seek professional help from ADU’s water and mold restoration services. At All Dry USA, we’ve got a friendly team who want to see your home restored to its former self as quickly as possible!

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