Any level of  water in basement flood damage is a catastrophe for home owners. No matter what the season, flooding can happen in an instant leaving water in the basement.  The wreckage that water damage creates is unfathomable. Most homes are not swept away so the owners and tenants are left to deal with the situation as best possible. Possessions get destroyed - generations of heirlooms, irreplaceable photographs and everyday possessions. With so many varying factors in nature such as: 

• flash flooding 

• heavy rains

• ice jams

• snow melting 

• spring thaw

Flooding is the #1 cause of natural disasters in the US.

   Here are a few basic questions to ask to minimize the chance for water in basement flood damage or at least decrease the risk in your home:

Do you know the flood risk of your home? It's a good idea to call your local emergency management office and ask for a flood map of your community. At least this way you can have an idea of kind of water damage you may be facing.

Are there potential construction changes that will impact the drainage in the area?

  Flood insurance is a must, regardless of where you sit in the flood plain. You need to be absolutely certain that you are covered. Water Flooding into your home is not just from the natural environment around you. Flooding also happens when a pipe freezes and ruptures in a basement, or the main water line to your house ruptures. Typically, standard homeowners flood insurance is not covered under usual insurance policies, a rider needs to be purchased separately.  It is too late to purchase insurance after the fact.

  Depending on the local code for the area in which you reside there are additional ways to 

minimize damage from water in the basement: 

   The best protection against basement flood damage cleanup is proactive prevention.  You can not stop forces of nature.  You can however lessen the impact she has on your valuables.