Flooding is a hazard the United States suffers from coast to coast. Unfortunately, Georgia is one of the top 10 states most susceptible. With nearly 130 square miles of low-lying land, and with some areas of the state being coastal, hundreds of thousands of individuals are vulnerable to severe water damage. With Savannah so close to the beach, our city is a particularly threatened area of Georgia. Additionally, Savannah can flood around 10 times a year, a number higher than merely 40 years ago. From the professionals at Harper Special Services, here are four flood types this beloved town has the potential to experience and the water damage it can cause: Flash Flooding A flash flood is a 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. The difference between a flash flood and a “regular” flood is how quickly it occurs, within six hours of initial rainfall. The water damage caused by flash flooding can be serious and swift. Water levels can rise to such great depths as to uproot trees, semi-trucks, and even houses, and sweep them away. Dam/Levee Breaks and River Flooding Multiple industrial-sized dams and levees lay on the Savannah River, which, if broken or burst, could release millions of gallons of water into the river. With the river overwhelmed, water can quickly surge onto low-lying land and destroy building foundations, seep into roads, and run into your home. However, even small-scale dams, such as dams for ponds or other small bodies of water in residential areas, can break and cause unprecedented damage. Tropical and Coastal Flooding Hurricane season is just around the corner, and this means a lot of wind and rain. A tropical storm is a cyclone that forms over tropical seas with strong winds. A hurricane is basically a tropical storm with much, much more intense sustained winds of at least 74 mph. Both of these can cause critical damage to roads, homes, and the city in general. Debris and fallen trees can fall and destroy structures and homes; sea levels can swell and cut off escape routes on roads; sanitation facilities can overflow with stormwater and cause epidemic-level illnesses. Georgians might be prepared for the storm itself, but there is never a way to truly prepare for the severe water damage caused to your home or neighborhood because of it. What you can do is contact your local water cleanup and restoration company to aid in the aftermath.
Harper Special Services in Savannah, Georgia is a family-owned restoration and renovation company with more than 50 years of experience in the contracting and restoration business. HSS specializes in, among other things, water mitigation, content pack out, content cleaning, deodorization, structural drying, and mold and asbestos testing. Their qualified professionals offer comprehensive restoration and cleanup, as well as general support during emergency situations. HSS team members are available to contact 24/, and will remain in contact with you throughout the entire damage cleanup and restoration process. With an IICRC certification and an A+ rating through the Better Business Bureau, Harper Special Services can provide you with some of the best water damage cleanup and restorative work in the entire state. Flooding in Georgia is a given. Luckily, so is knowing Harper Special Services is there for you.