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When the rain and the wind arrive, flood damage can be catastrophic. All across the United States, we are seeing a rise in adverse weather conditions, be that drought-inducing summers or electrical grid-damaging winters, and in Southern Texas, things are no different. When the worst does barrel through, you must have the right kind of company to help you pick up the pieces and move on.
While Houston might not be the first name to spring to mind regarding significant flooding, the city has, and does, experience its fair share. Over the last 150 years, Houston has seen countless floods, with the previous severe event coming in September 2019 with Tropical Storm Imelda, which flooded 3,990 homes in Harris County.
The events of 2019 came just two years after Hurricane Harvey battered Houston, dumping over 50 inches of rain in just four days and killing over 100 people, directly or indirectly. The region has faced 26 federally declared disasters over the past forty years, and over 320,000 residential properties in the Greater Houston area lie within floodplains.
Houston is a beautiful place to live, work, and raise a family, but with the Gulf of Mexico right on its doorstep, the threat of flooding will always be high.
Around 31% of Houston’s residential properties have between a moderate and high risk of flooding. The most susceptible areas include; Cypress North, Bellaire, Katy, Kingwood, and Eastex-Jensen. These are generally low-lying locations near water.
A threat to life is the most significant hazard associated with flooding, and the devastation brought on by Harvey was a prime example. 80% of deaths during the hurricane were recorded as drownings, highlighting just how terrifyingly dangerous a major storm can be.
Polluted floodwater is another major cause for concern. It may not have the same immediate impact as deaths occurring during the event, but contaminated water can spread disease through a community quickly and silently. After Harvey, tests on floodwater revealed bacteria and toxins, mainly due to breaches at numerous waste treatment plants.
Health hazards in the wake of significant flooding are numerous and can be deadly. Contamination and the immediate threat of drowning are joined by the risk of falls, downed power lines, and other accidents that may not be directly related to the water but probably wouldn’t have happened without the flooding.
We often take our basic services for granted. When there is a fire, we call the fire brigade; when we are hurt, we call an ambulance; and when we’re in danger, we call the police. In the wake of a major event, many of the services experience significant disruption, which can lead to yet more injuries and fatalities. Add other essential services that won’t be operating, such as transportation, garbage disposal, etc., and problems can quickly start to mount.
For individuals, property damage is understandably one of the biggest concerns. Perhaps you get lucky and receive only minor or no damage at all. Still, we also saw plenty of examples during Hurricane Harvey of homes that saw catastrophic damage. This is where the true personal cost of a natural disaster really hits home.
Not all storm damage is the same, but property damage in the Houston area will fall into one or several of these categories.
When water has been in the home, even for a few hours, it can cause terrible interior damage. If not treated correctly straightaway, this can lead to rot or structural disparities that might not fully rear their head for years to come.
Mold is another common side effect of flood damage and can be equally devastating if not appropriately addressed. Mold can not only destroy your home, but it’s also dangerous for your health and can cause problems with allergies, chronic migraines, and respiratory issues.
Leaks are another common problem after flooding. The intense pressure placed on sewage systems to get rid of the water can easily lead to burst pipes or small leaks that might not become apparent for some time. Leaks can significantly exacerbate structural problems and should be looked at immediately.
When the sewage system becomes overloaded, it’s common to see an unpleasant backup appear. A professional must handle this quickly and efficiently, as it can lead to disease. Also, be aware that sewage from outside your home can find its way in.
Houston is now the fourth most populous city in the United States and continues to boom—a wonderful place to live but one where you need to pay attention to the risks. Having the trio of Galveston, Trinity, and East Bay right on our doorstep really makes Houston, but when the wind and rain arrive, and with much of the city not much above sea level, you need to know what to do in the event of significant flooding.
When the worst does hit, ensure you, your family, and those around you are safe, then consider calling All Dry USA to take care of that messy cleanup process. We’ll work with you to get the job done as quickly as possible, so you can return home and get on with your life as soon as possible.
Over the weekend we discovered a discoloration in our bedroom wall and immediately suspected water damage. I called All Dry on Tuesday and made an appointment for the following day. All Dry was very professional and performed well. I was very happy with the service and would use them again or recommend them to a neighbor or friend.
Blake and his crew came out by 9:30 in the morning and immediately looked over the damage and where water had started from. They were very professional and took great care of furnishings and household items They were very courteous and understandable to my mom whose dementia was pronounced with the flood. Very helpful team.
We had a water leak in our in our bedroom with mold. Blake came out and thoroughly examined the damage helping us get to the root of the problem. He helped us develop a treatment plan for our mold problem and reassured us. He was great. I will definitely refer All Dry restoration to anyone with issues like ours.
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