How Familiar with Flooding Are You?

10/28/2021 (Permalink)

Flood Damages? SERVPRO of North Pensacola is Here to Help!

One of the most damaging side effects of heavy storms is flooding.  Flooding is defined as “an overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry,” and in the Panhandle of Florida can happen quite frequently in many communities.  Floods are the most common and widespread of all weather-related natural disasters, making it extremely important not only to understand the different kinds of flooding possible, but also your local flood zone definition.

Common Kinds of Flooding in Pensacola, Florida

River Flood – a river flood occurs when water rises over the top of a riverbank.  River flooding can almost immediately cause issues for structures located on the river, and if water levels continue to rise, have damaging results for properties downstream as well.

Coastal Flood – a coastal flood occurs when land areas along the coast are inundated with rising waters.  A combination of factors, including tidal patterns, rainfall, and land elevation can all play a role in coastal flooding.  Coastal flooding is of an even greater concern in our area, since much of the Panhandle of Florida is along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. 

Storm Surge – Storm surge is a variation of coastal flooding in which the wind, atmospheric pressure, and waves of a severe storm greatly increase the water level in coastal areas.  Highly common during hurricanes and tropical disturbances, storm surge can occur very quickly, and pose serious property and safety concerns.

Flash Flood – a flash flood is usually caused by heavy or excessive rainfall in a short period of time in a localized area.  Flash floods can occur with very little warning and be extremely dangerous.  Clogged drainage systems and standing debris can contribute to the likelihood of flash flooding occurrences, restricting water run-off.

Is My Property In a Flood Zone?

It is important to understand that with the right combination of conditions, any property can be subject to flooding.  Areas are defined by their flood risk: either high, moderate, or low risk.  If you are interested in learning about the flood risk for your property, visit:

https://www.floodsmart.gov/flood-map-zone/find-yours

In the unfortunate event that flood waters do cause property damage to your home or business, SERVPRO of North Pensacola is just one call away.  Our team provides 24/7 emergency response to help restore your home or business back to its pre-storm condition.  To learn more about our services or request help, please give us a call at 850-466-3076.

Source: https://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/floods/types/