How Can I Prepare for Potential Flooding This Winter?
Though you may be primarily concerned about snowstorms during these cold winter months in New York State, you must not forget about the possibility of experiencing flooding. That is, there is such thing as winter ice jam floods that arise more often than you may initially realize. Such flooding may come with little to no warning and even cause serious damage to homes that reside beyond the designated floodplain. With that in mind, please follow along to find out how to prepare for potential flooding this winter season and how one of the proficient New York residential flood damage insurance attorneys at The Law Office of Craig A. Blumberg, P.C. can help you recover if such an unfortunate event occurs.
What is a winter ice jam flood?
In short, a winter ice jam flood happens when large pieces of floating ice carried with a river’s or stream’s current accumulate and impede the water flow. This may be caused by rapid changes in air temperature or water levels that lead to ice breaking up and piling up. Or, this may just be from natural obstructions at river bends, mouths of tributaries, or downstream of dams that create such a build-up. In the end, this may result in upstream flooding or flash flooding that may damage properties in the surrounding area.
What can I do to prepare for potential flooding this winter season?
If you live near any river or stream in New York State, you must do your part to prepare for potential winter ice jam floods during the winter season. This may mean prepping your property in the following ways:
- Make sure the sump pump in your home is working properly.
- Make sure you clear all debris from your gutters and downspouts.
- Consider installing backflow preventers on your sewer lines.
- Consider implementing waterproofing features in your basement.
- Place your valuable and sentimental personal items on your higher floors.
Unfortunately, the devastating effects of upstream or flash flooding may be beyond your reasonable control as a dutiful homeowner. What’s worse is that standard homeowners’ insurance policies in New York State typically do not cover water damage caused by flooding. Hopefully, you purchased additional coverage for flooding events. If not, you may need to strategize how exactly to obtain recovery afterward. This may require the aid of a skilled legal representative.
In conclusion, for more information on if and when to pursue an insurance claim for flood damage, please don’t hesitate to contact one of the talented New York residential property damage claim attorneys from The Law Office of Craig A. Blumberg, P.C. We look forward to hearing from you and later on helping you.
