Does Winter Weather Affect Flooding?
While it’s easy to associate flooding with summer catastrophes like spring rainfall and summer hurricanes, but winter can present just as much of a chance if not more. Big Bags USA sees this, again and again, every winter, as communities don’t expect flooding related to winter storms and then find themselves with flooding damage before spring hits. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you think about winter storms, flooding, and the best flood barriers to keep your community and home safe.
Then there was another storm in March which brought hurricane-force winds and heavy rains to coastal New England. That is just the beginning, as there was also flooding in Southern California, Oregon, and Washington. Heavy rains in Las Vegas after a January draught also hit. In February, there was rapid snowmelt in the Midwest that brought many rivers from Chicago to Houston to flood stage. The Grand River in Grand Rapids Michigan rose to over twenty feet. States of emergency were declared in 17 counties along the Ohio River due to high water and storm damage.
This just goes to show that winter can be just as harsh when it comes to flooding, and the need for flood protection in the winter is just as important.
Sudden thaws of heavy snow and ice are another cause of winter flooding. Snowmelts will bring huge amounts of water in a very short amount of time. The frozen ground will prevent the water from penetrating the ground, and as a result, the runoff can cause streams and rivers to overflow their banks.
Winter is also the rainy season for the Western U.S. as Pacific storm systems move inland and bring potentially heavy rains. The cold-season rain is the main supply of water to rivers in the western region, but winter rains can also bring intense flooding and mudslides. Those can cause MILLIONS of dollars in property damage year after year.
Winter Flooding Information
In the winter months of 2018, there were many areas of the country that experiences an unusual amount of flooding. The East Coast faced two historic “bomb cyclones” which describes a strong, low-pressure weather system that intensifies rapidly. Seventeen inches of snow fell and a storm tide reached over 15 feet flooding many areas. This stretched from Georgia to New Brunswick with Boston experience the biggest force.Then there was another storm in March which brought hurricane-force winds and heavy rains to coastal New England. That is just the beginning, as there was also flooding in Southern California, Oregon, and Washington. Heavy rains in Las Vegas after a January draught also hit. In February, there was rapid snowmelt in the Midwest that brought many rivers from Chicago to Houston to flood stage. The Grand River in Grand Rapids Michigan rose to over twenty feet. States of emergency were declared in 17 counties along the Ohio River due to high water and storm damage.
This just goes to show that winter can be just as harsh when it comes to flooding, and the need for flood protection in the winter is just as important.
What Causes Winter Flooding?
While you may assume snow right off the bat, it really just depends on where the storm is happening. Along coastal areas, including the Great Lakes, storms bringing snow, heavy rains, and strong winds can cause the water levels to rise. This can lead to flooding and beach erosion, especially when the storm’s arrival comes with high tide.Sudden thaws of heavy snow and ice are another cause of winter flooding. Snowmelts will bring huge amounts of water in a very short amount of time. The frozen ground will prevent the water from penetrating the ground, and as a result, the runoff can cause streams and rivers to overflow their banks.
Winter is also the rainy season for the Western U.S. as Pacific storm systems move inland and bring potentially heavy rains. The cold-season rain is the main supply of water to rivers in the western region, but winter rains can also bring intense flooding and mudslides. Those can cause MILLIONS of dollars in property damage year after year.
What’s The Winter Flood Solution?
The biggest thing to consider is that there is a tool on the market that can be used quickly and effectively for these types of winter storms. Big Bags USA® flood control systems and flood barrier systems provide lightning fast flood protection at a FRACTION of the cost. One system is 36” wide, 15’ long, and 40” tall. A five-bag system can be placed and filled by two men in less than TEN MINUTES. That’s equal to 15 linear feet every ten minutes. No other sandbag deployment method equals the speed of deployment possible with Big Bags USA. Because of the speed and efficiency, Big Bags USA® has earned its rank in the Top Ten Flood Barriers list. If you think that your community would be better off if they supplied our product for their area - we would love to speak with your officials. They can give us a call, or visit our website to learn more about our awesome flood barrier system.
MADE IN THE USA ~ 100% Manufactured in Missouri ~ BUY AMERICAN
MADE IN THE USA ~ 100% Manufactured in Missouri ~ BUY AMERICAN
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