Tips to Prepare Your Basement for Flooding in Freehold, NJ

Floods are one of the most destructive weather phenomena, often striking with little warning. Communities with basements, in places like Freehold Township, New Jersey, are especially vulnerable to rising waters, as they provide a place for water to naturally funnel. Even a few inches of water can ruin flooring, furniture, and other valuable items, not to mention, result in mold damage.

According to USGS reports, early spring and winter flooding in New Jersey tends to occur as a result of widespread, steady rain of moderate intensity that falls on frozen ground.

• In the winter, snow and ice melt may increase the chance of winter flooding.
  
• Summer floodings are usually the result of thunderstorms typically occurring in small streams and are of local extent.
  
• Late summer and fall floodings are associated with frontal storms, tropical storms, and hurricanes, which can be widespread, resulting from heavy intense rains across the entire state.
  

New Jersey's major floods are those that are the most severe in terms of magnitude, areal extent, loss of life, and property damage.

Preparing your home -- and especially your basement -- before a flood strikes will help prevent flood damage to your home, as well as to your personal property.

First, look for any obvious weaknesses in your basement where water may be able to enter. Keep track of any holes in basement walls or cracks in the foundation. Also, focus your attention on areas where outside flood waters are most likely to contact your home. By inspecting and repairing minor issues before they become major ones, you can avoid more severe flood damage.

Pumps are essential in quickly clearing your basement of water. If your pumps fail, your home may be submerged longer than necessary, causing further damage. Inspect your pumps and perform any necessary repairs every six months, or a few weeks prior to any potential flood event. Keep in mind that pumps themselves are susceptible to water damage; so always keep them above the expected waterline. If this isn't possible in your basement, consider moving them to a higher, easily accessible location. This way, you can quickly deploy them after the water level stops rising.

Relocate all valuable items from your basement, including electronics, expensive furniture, and anything else that could be damaged by moisture. If removing them is impossible, consider raising them as high as you feel is safe. This way, they may be able to escape damage even if your basement receives mild to moderate flooding.

Since water and electricity are a dangerous mix, always unplug any electrical appliances that may fall below the potential water level. Since many such appliances are also susceptible to water damage, consider storing them on high shelves or other areas of your home out of reach of any potential flooding.

Your ability to quickly address any problems that arise can greatly impact the amount of water damage your property suffers. Always provide easy access to cleaning supplies and equipment, which will enable you to clean and dry out your basement as quickly as possible. Your cleaning supplies should include towels, fans, buckets, and any other items you feel will aid in the cleanup. Store all cleaning supplies and equipment above the potential flood line in an easily-accessible area, such as a ground floor closet or storeroom.

It only takes a few inches of water to cause massive damage to personal property. And, since basements are the area of the home most prone to flooding, homeowners owe it to themselves to adequately prepare their basements before the next flood strikes.