What is a Flash Flood?

Flash flooding can happen in an instant, one second your home can be in perfect condition, and then the next moment a flash flood can break out. Flash flooding is a very serious and troublesome problem that can drastically change the course of your day and life in an instant. If you are a homeowner and have never heard of a flash flood, you may be wondering what they are and what they do to your home.

United Water Restoration Group, a company that focuses on water, fire, mold, and flood damage restoration, would like to give you a better understanding of flash flooding. A flash flood can happen in an instant and can cause ruinous damage to your home. Gaining a better understanding of flash flooding can help you secure preventative measures and better protect your home and those you love.

What is Flash Flooding?

A flood occurs when dry land is overtaken by water. This can happen thanks to heavy rainstorms, change in directions for rivers, or storm surges from natural events. A flash flood is defined as a flood that occurs from heavy rainfall or another cause within 6 hours of these events occurring. Flash flooding can take up to 6 hours, but can also happen in as little as a few minutes.

A flash flood can be the result of intense rainstorms or hurricanes. A flood can take up to a few weeks to develop and may result from ongoing events. Flash flooding is typically more dangerous as it combines a flood’s normal potential with unpredictability and a wildly rapid timeframe. 

Heavy rain isn’t the only factor for flash flooding. Ice jams in rivers and massive snow melting can also have disastrous results that lead to a massive flash flood. Flash floods are dangerous and can cause very grave and dangerous conditions. 

Am I at Risk for Flash Flooding?

Certain areas are at more risk depending on conditions. Flash flooding can realistically happen to almost anyone at any given time depending on the climate and situation. Areas more susceptible to flooding are typically more urban with buildings and concrete. Rich soil is vital to preventing oversaturation of water in the soil.

If the soil becomes oversaturated, the risk of a flash flood grows. Urban areas that use concrete and have buildings have a risk of flash flooding as the amount of soil set to absorb water is typically lower than other areas. Regions near rivers or large streams are also at an increased risk.

If the flow of water drastically changes from upstream, it can cause the river or body of water to expand to dry land and cause various conditions resulting in a flash flood. 

Ravines and mountains are similar as they can have rapid water flow change and create a flash flooding scenario for those in the area. If you believe your home is at risk for flooding, do not hesitate to contact United Water Restoration Group. Our technicians can inspect and assess your home’s safety to help ensure water damage does not occur.

To learn more about United Water Restoration Group’s water damage restoration process and assessment, we encourage you to check out our blog regarding these services! We provide services in Ormond Beach, Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, Daytona Beach, Florida, Orlando, Florida, Tampa, Florida, Melbourne, Florida, and many other locations around Florida!