Rising sea levels and increasingly violent hurricanes continue to increase the flood risk in South Carolina. Flood events occur more frequently in the state and show no signs of letting up anytime soon.
This means thousands of homes are at risk of flooding, including in previously unflooded areas. While many homeowners invest in flood insurance in South Carolina, more must be done to minimize flooding damage.
Types of Flooding
Different types of floods affect South Carolina. Hurricanes often cause storm-induced flooding in coastal areas, leaving homes vulnerable to destruction.
When it rains heavily in the state, there is the risk of flash flooding. This flooding typically happens during summer thunderstorms and often plugs storm drains, causing nearby buildings, roads, and homes to flood.
Excessive rain can also cause lakes and rivers to exceed their banks and overflow into surrounding areas. This inrush of water, known as fluvial flooding, can cause levees to fail and reach homes and buildings.
Surface water flooding (pluvial flooding) is caused by heavy, ongoing rainfall that the watershed system cannot absorb. Pluvial floods cause big problems in urban areas, and more investments are needed to improve infrastructure to control these floods.
While rainfall does cause flooding in South Carolina, most major flooding events in the state are caused by hurricanes.
Flood Risk for Homeowners
If you own a home in South Carolina, it is important to understand the risks that floods pose to your home.
You can use FEMA Flood Maps to determine the overall risk of floods in your area. For instance, if you live in Zone X, your area has a lower risk of annual flooding.
Zone VE, on the other hand, has a 1% annual chance of coastal flooding with a velocity hazard. Here, flood insurance is mandatory for homeowners.
Local emergency management agencies and your insurance provider can also help you assess the flood risk to your home.
Flood Prevention Measures
While you cannot prevent a flood from happening, you can take several steps to protect your home.
Exterior Protection
Exterior protection is as important as interior protection. You must elevate crucial components attached to the outside of your home, including electrical panels, furnaces, and water heaters. Any critical equipment outside your home must be lifted above the anticipated flood level.
This will allow for minimal damage during a flood and ensure that essential systems remain functional.
Hire a licensed electrician or contractor to help elevate electrical panels and other items to ensure compliance.
You can also install check valves to prevent sewage backup in your house when drains overflow. Depending on your area’s regulations, you may need to hire a plumber to install these valves correctly.
It is important to maintain your gutters and downspouts throughout the year. Clear leaves, debris, and potential blockages to prevent water from accumulating around your house’s foundation. Clearing these hazards can also prevent flood water from spilling into your house.
Moreover, you should consider installing sump pumps to remove excess water from basements, crawl spaces, and other low-lying areas around your house. Invest in a battery-powered backup system if the power goes out during a flood.
As with most flood prevention measures, having a professional install a sump pump system on your property is better.
Interior Protection
Ideally, you want to waterproof the lower levels of your home, including basements and crawl spaces. This can help prevent water infiltration. You should also replace leaking windows and repair all foundational cracks to prevent water from seeping in.
If you store valuable items in your basement, keep them off the floor by stacking them on shelves.
You can install water sensors to alert you of water intrusion, including leaks and seepage. These sensors should be placed near potential water entry points, and you can connect them to an alarm or smart home system.
Flood Emergency Plan
In addition to protecting your home against flooding, you must also ensure you, your family, and your pets are safe in a flood.
Create a flood emergency plan that includes evacuation routes when water rises. In most instances, it would be best to evacuate before the water begins to rise.
Your emergency plan should include the following:
- Emergency contact information
- A flood-free zone to meet
- Measures to protect valuables and important documents
Prepare a flood emergency kit with supplies that will last several days. This includes bottled water, non-perishable food, sanitation supplies, medications, first-aid kits, flashlights, and batteries. Floods happen fast, so you need to ensure your kit is within easy reach.
Remember to include food for your pets and any medications they may need. Some homeowners include calming treats and sprays to calm their pets during the chaos.
Flood Insurance
Sometimes, no strategies and prevention measures can stop flood waters from damaging your house. This is why you should have up-to-date flood insurance coverage.
Do not rely on your standard homeowner’s policy, as it is very likely to exclude flood damage. Flooding is a widespread event with significant risks, so you need a specialized insurance policy.
There is the option of the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) administered by FEMA. This insurance coverage may pay for home repairs and replace flood-damaged belongings up to policy limits.
However, most homeowners prefer taking out private flood insurance, especially if they live in high-risk areas. Private policies often offer more coverage options and lower deductibles than the NFIP.
When you take out flood insurance, ensure that you understand your policy’s limits and know how much your deductible will be when you claim. Remember that flood insurance might exclude damage from sewer backups or gradual water seepage.
You should also consider adding additional coverage to your flood insurance policy. You can increase the coverage limits or get additional protection for valuable items.
Investing in Flood Insurance
Flood insurance is not an option in the flood-prone areas of South Carolina. To protect your property investment, you must have full insurance coverage. You can have peace of mind even if a flood sweeps through your area.
