9facts

9 facts about flooding

By Christopher Heath, WFTV.com and Katy Camp
By Christopher Heath, WFTV.com and Katy Camp

ORLANDO, Fla. — Flooding is one of the most dangerous and destructive weather events. Here are 9 facts to know before the storm.

1. Know your risk:  The Federal Emergency Management Agency has an address look-up where you can see if you are in a flood zone and what your risk might be based on your address.

Scroll to the bottom of the page to enter your address into FEMA's flood map

2. Very common: Of all the natural disasters in the United States, flooding is the most common and most expensive.  Despite the frequency, most homeowners' insurance does not cover flooding.

FEMA Links to Flooding Information:

National Flood Insurance Program

Summary of Coverage brochure (PDF document)

3. Flood insurance:  It is too late to purchase flood insurance for Hurricane Dorian, however, there are things that are covered.
4. River floods: If you live near a river, you can check the current levels through the National Weather Service by clicking on this link. 
5. Flash flooding:  The National Weather Service defines  flash flooding as the rapid and extreme flow of high water into a normally dry area, or a rapid water level rise in a stream or creek above a predetermined flood level, beginning within six hours of the causative event like intense rainfall. 
U.S. Flood Deaths (source: NOAA)  
1988-1992 76
1993-1997 105
1998-2002 68
2003-2007 75
2008-2012 77
2013-2017 114
6. Tropical systems and coastal flooding:  Tropical cyclones can bring large amounts of precipitation onshore. The majority of the heaviest rain occurs to the right of the center of the storm; however, it should be noted that rain bands on both sides of the system can produce heavy rain.

The WFTV Mobile Weather app will tell you when you are in an area at risk for flooding or flash flooding. Download it for free in the app store or by going to wftvapps.com. Turn on the alerts under 'settings.' Go to the weather alerts you want to receive and choose "flooding.'"

7. Dam breaks/levee failure:  There are more than 80,000 dams in the United States.  FEMA reports that approximately one-third pose a high or significant hazard to life and property if they fail.   Dam failure or levee breaches can occur with little warning.  

Dam failures are categorized into three groups:

Overtopping: The water level exceeds the top of the dam.

Excessive seepage: The water seeps through the ground.

Structural failure: Part of the dam doesn't complete its job sufficiently.

8. Storm surge:  Storm surge is a particular problem directly along the coast. Entire coastlines can be altered by the sheer magnitude of the water battering the shores. Storm surge can also travel several miles inland causing additional flooding and destruction. The addition of intense rainfall along the coast can add to the flooding potential. 
Hurricane Dorian: What is a king tide and how will it affect Dorian?
9. Cost of flooding:  The cost of flooding in the U.S. has topped $123 billion from 1980 to 2018, with 29 documented events.  This does not include the number or cost of severe storms and hurricanes.

Cox Media Group

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