More Flooding In Minneapolis

Rivers and creeks in the Minneapolis area reached flood stage during the last week, with Minnehaha Creek overflowing its banks and threatening over one hundred homes.  The city has been delivering sandbags to try and stem the rising waters, but more recent snowfalls have only aggravated the situation. 

In Carver residents are still bracing for the south fork of the Crow River to overflow its banks. The city added another three feet to its levee and are protecting one of its waste water lift stations.

The owner of an historic home across from the river is trying to minimize the damage if flooding hits by clearing out the basement.

"But the fear I don't think is that it's going to be water damage from the basement necessarily. It's going to be if the levy fails, I think that's the biggest fear because then you have a wall of water and it comes fast and you don't have any warning," said Carver historic homeowner Mary Williamson.  Residents are bracing for the floods, but hoping for the best.

Of course this is a prime example of what can happen when flood waters rise, particularly in basements or first floors of homes in low lying or flood prone areas.  While there is no way to completely waterproof a basement, there are ways to at least minimize the damage caused by a flood.

One of the easiest is to make sure that the landscaping around your home slopes away from your home for a distance of at least ten feet (but ideally fifteen or twenty feet).  Make sure that all gutters are clean and free of obstructions, and that all of your downspouts are channeling water in the appropriate direction, away from your home.

If you live on a flood plain or in an area with a history of flooding, you may want to visit your local emergency management office.  Examine the history of flooding in the area.  Using averages, you may be able to estimate just how much water you can expect to enter your home in the event of a flood. 

Armed with this information, you can minimize the water damage to your home by removing valuable items and documents from the basement or floor level.  Raise electrical appliances off the floor as much as possible.  Electrical boxes and power outlets can also be elevated at least six to twelve inches above the projected waterline.  Of course all work of this sort should be performed by a qualified electrician.

In the event your home is damaged by water, you should have the contact information for a local, IICRC certified water damage restoration company.  They will be available 24/7/365, with a full staff of trained professionals, the latest in water damage restoration equipment and procedures, and offer a complete range of services including water extraction and drying, carpet cleaning and mold removal, and any structural repair, reconstruction, or restoration that may be required. 

Call today for a free flood clean up estimate or phone consultation.