Living in New England, you’ve had to combat some serious winter weather; whether it’s in the form of torrential icy-rain, a blizzard, or extremely high winds. However, New Englanders know they have to be prepared for when all of those weather conditions form into one storm—known as a Nor’easter. Nor’easters are a type of massive cyclonic storm that forms within 100 miles of the U.S. East Coast. We’ve had four this past winter, and with temperatures starting to rise in the beginning of the spring season, you’ll have to prepare for when Nor’easters cause flood damage. These floods occur due to a variety of reasons, which we are going to cover in this article.
Nor’easters: In-Depth Look
If you do not live near a body of water, you should be grateful. This is because Nor’easters have the ability to cause worse storm surges than hurricanes. This is because the center of Nor’easters are cold, which allows it to maintain its pressure, unlike a hurricane. When the cold, dry air of the land meets with the moist air of the Nor’easter, it releases energy. This occurrence is what is known as baroclinic instability. After this energy releases, huge tidal surges cause large amounts of flooding in the surrounding areas
Snowmelt
Snowmelt is one of the biggest reasons why people’s homes are flooded after a Nor’easter. This is due to large quantities of water that can get into your roof, basement, and ceilings. It’s important that after a Nor’easter passes, you are prepared for possible flooding. For more ways on how to prevent snowmelt flooding, feel free to check out our article on how to winter-proof your home, Winter Flooding: Causes and Prevention.
Preparing for Nor’easters
If the weather calls for a Nor’easter coming your way, it’s important to be as prepared as possible after it passes. The last thing you want in your house is an abundance of water that ruins your roof or basement that contains your belongings. To prevent flooding from happening when that monstrous storm hits, you should practice these preventive measures:
- Roof Inspection: Although optional, it’s a great idea to have a professional come in to check your roof before the winter. Having a weak point in your roofing will allow the massive amount of snow to cause water damage in your home and even cause a roof collapse. Preventing these things from happening would be in your best interest.
- Look at Your Foundation: Similar to your roof, your foundation may have a crack in it, allowing water to flood into your house. Inspecting your foundation for any existing cracks allows you to fix it before a larger problem arises.
- Be Ready with Shovels: Lastly, make sure you are ready to start shoveling, especially around your house. Keeping snow away from your basement windows is another way to prevent flooding in your basement.
- Flood Insurance: Most homeowner’s insurance policies will not cover flood damage. But by purchasing flood insurance, you can have your home covered from potential damage. Consider covering your property with flood insurance, especially if you live near a body of water.
Hopefully, the Nor’easters are finally finished and the warm weather from spring can commence. By taking all of the preventative measures, you have a better chance of withstanding flood damage. One way you can ensure your home and belongings will be saved is by purchasing a flood insurance policy. Make sure to contact TJ Woods today to learn more about this coverage.
