Floods in Dallas, TX

While Dallas isn’t a particularly flood-prone city, heavy rainfall is a regular occurrence, and flash floods are not uncommon. The tropical air that moves up from the Gulf of Mexico along the Trinity River creates a climate requiring Dallas homeowners’ vigilance.

Learn what types of flooding affect Dallas and what you can do to keep your family safe. For all your water damage and mold remediation needs if disaster does strike, you can get in touch with All Dry USA.

Does Dallas, TX Experience Flooding?

The research site Risk Factor concludes from an aggregate of a vast swath of data that the flood risk factor in Dallas is minor. Currently a severe, “1-in-100 year” flood event is projected to occur far more often than only once per century, at around once per thirty years.

Is Dallas, Texas in a Flood Zone?

While Dallas is not technically in a flood zone, the way tropical air meets its arid climate and its proximity to the Trinity River make flooding more common than in other major Texas cities.

What Types of Flooding Affect Dallas, TX?

The National Weather Service notes that the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex experiences adverse weather events such as flooding, large hail, damaging winds, and even tornadoes yearly. They note that severe weather phenomena have a higher incidence rate in the spring when the meteorological conditions align to produce frequent thunderstorms.

Zeroing in on flooding, the three types of floods Dallas homeowners should be aware of are:

• Flash Flooding: Flash floods occur because of brief and intense periods of rainfall. Storm sewers can become overwhelmed, rivers can run over their banks, and raging water can come rushing onto land faster than anyone can predict.
• River and Stream Flooding: River flooding can occur after brief and intense rainfall or if gradual rain persists over a period of hours. Tropical storm systems can raise river water levels even if there isn’t much rainfall, causing flooding.
• Storm Surge: Storm surges are like flash floods but can occur without any rainfall. Storm surges can raise water levels in coastal areas through the force of the tide. Combined with wind, rain, and lightning, they can become quite dangerous.

What Areas in Dallas Are Most at Risk of Flooding?

A 2019 article in the Dallas Morning News noted that at the time of writing, the city of Dallas had 84 projects in the works to bolster flood protection. The city government knows that certain parts of the city are more flood-prone than others, and those areas stretch from as far north as Frankford Rd. near Plano, to as far south as Cedar Ridge Preserve, near Joe Pool Lake.

Neighborhoods singled out for their vulnerability to flooding include far East Dallas, especially Highland Road, Pleasant Grove, Crawford Memorial Park, and East Oak Cliff.

What Are the Main Hazards Associated With Flooding?

The National Severe Storms Laboratory is a federally funded research center dedicated 100% to learning more about how emergency weather phenomena like floods happen. That includes developing new preparedness strategies for homeowners.

They outline that densely populated areas, geographic lowlands, and areas near rivers are especially vulnerable to floods. All of that describes the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

When facing a potential flood, you must worry about the hazards that floods create, not the flood water itself. Some of the primary threats you need to be aware of include:

Polluted Floodwater

Last year, when Dallas received 13 inches of precipitation over 12 hours, scientists described it as a “1-in-1,000-year storm.” Climate change is accelerating the rate that floods occur and their intensity.

With less time to recover and perform clean-ups between floods, floodwater is becoming more polluted. Floodwater can pick up toxins, chemicals, and particles as small as sediment and as large as boulder-sized rocks. Floods can even pick up and move cars and entire houses.

Health Hazards

Polluted water is only one health hazard associated with floods. Additional health hazards include overwhelmed septic systems that backup burst, crop loss that can lead to famine and livestock failure.

Disruption of Services

An excess of water can shut down roads, meaning emergency services’ power to get to you is drastically limited. Police, fire department, delivery of food, and freshwater are all impacted by floods.

Property Damage

Flooding is hard on residential structures. Floodwater can pour into the ground floors of houses and damage the foundation. It can discolor the outside of homes, degrading the quality of paint, and it can damage cars.

Dam Failure

One of the potential consequences of flooding that always has governments worried is dam and levee failure. The levees breaking in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina caused astronomical problems that the city is still dealing with almost 20 years later.

That much water pouring into a densely-packed urban area spells nothing but trouble.

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

There are three stages to flood preparedness: before, during, and after the flood. Check the Centers for Disease Control’s flood preparedness worksheet to understand the basics of flood preparedness. But read on to get a complete, detailed look at how to best protect yourself and your family from the ravages of flooding.

Before the Flood

• Consider purchasing comprehensive flood insurance
• Calculate your flood risk by utilizing FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center
• Create an itemized inventory of essential household items, including valuables and medications.
• Stock up on bottled fresh water and non-perishable food.
• Store important documents in a safe, dry place, preferably in a watertight bag.
• Waterproof your basement
• Clear out the debris from your gutters so you don’t create a flash flood of your own.
• Elevate your utilities to minimize the risk of utility failure.

During the Flood

• Stay inside until the rain stops, or you’re in danger.
• Monitor the local weather report.
• Keep a portable battery on hand so you can stay fully charged to read alerts.
• Keep your pets inside.

After the Flood

• Wait for officials to tell you if it’s safe to evacuate.
• Avoid downed powerlines and all other electrical infrastructure.
• Use battery-powered lanterns and flashlights to avoid fire risk.
• Wear protective boots and clothes to keep yourself away from flood water.
• Only drink fresh, bottled water until you’ve been told by the authorities that tap water is safe.
• Take photos of all damage and call your insurer.

Common Types of Property Damage Caused by Floods in Dallas

Even if you’re fully prepared for floods, it’s hard to avoid damage altogether. Floodwaters can damage homes in many ways, but here are the primary ways you might incur damage.

Interior Water Damage

There are more access points for water to breach your home than you’d like to think. Water can come from the roof, from the foundation, through cracks in the doors and walls. Interior water damage can ruin floors, furniture, and baseboards.

Sewage Backup/Septic Damage

Floodwaters can overwhelm sewage and septic systems. Sewage lines and septic systems have been known to burst due to the pressure that mounts during floods.

Mold

Mold only needs dampness, darkness, and 24 hours to grow. Once spores start circulating, it’s challenging to contain.

Structural Damage

Make sure to have a home repair specialist check up on your home shortly after flooding to ensure the foundation hasn’t been permanently damaged. Flood waters can cause foundation cracks and make floors go loose and buckle.

Electrical Damage

Flooding can down powerlines, fray electrical wires, and cause appliance failure within homes. Electrical damage is particularly concerning in the context of floods since water conducts currents. So if you see loose powerlines, stay out of the water.

Suffering From Flooding Damage in Dallas, TX? ADU Can Help

If you’re looking for interior damage and restoration services, call All Dry USA. Our talented team of industry professionals offers water damage, fire & smoke damage, and mold remediation services in Dallas.

We inspect, remove water, dry and dehumidify, clean, and sanitize as part of our full restoration services. Get in contact today.

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