Flooding Woes
By Sarah Kittle
Whether or not you are a believer in global climate change, there’s no denying that we have experienced record amounts of rainfall in our region in the last few months.
A Detroit Free Press article on September 21 reported recent flooding in metro Detroit overwhelmed the regional water system and took out power lines, leaving hundreds of thousands of Michiganders in the dark – some for days. Power related issues at pumping stations and an outdated infrastructure have left us bemoaning the record rainfall.
A storm on June 25 and 26 damaged homes and vehicles, causing the governor to declare Wayne and Washtenaw counties as “national disaster areas.” Interstate highway I-94 flooded, stranding many drivers who were forced to leave their vehicles in the road.
The hardest hit were areas of Detroit and surrounding Wayne County, with damage also reported in Oakland and Macomb counties. Wind damage caused power outages and metro Detroit freeways were “littered with abandoned vehicles,” according to the Michigan State Police.
Authorities advised homeowners to remove items from the ground outside and valuables from basement storage. A multi-day storm system in September created waves on Lake Michigan as high as 20 feet, The Detroit News reported.
Late summer storms aside, we have had an extremely wet year.
According to the FEMA, water damage from floods is one of the most common and costly hazards in the United States. The health and safety risks include structural damage, electrical damage, exposure to sharp glasses and metals, sanitary hazards and diseases from standing water, contaminated drinking water, defunct drainage and sewage systems, risk of cutting off communications, road and bridge destruction, and, in some communities, even the threat of landslides.
What does all this mean for companies that do flood repair? We asked Cheryl Mitchell of 360 Fire and Flood, a property restoration and disaster response company headquartered in Michigan. Created in 2019 with $1 million in sales, their business increased almost tenfold in 2020.
“We are a national company doing work in other states as well,” says Mitchell. “I am not certain about this year’s numbers but with all the flooding, we expect to far surpass the business of the past two years.”
They are seeing an increase in business due to flooding that involves mold remediation, foundational issues, and even fire. Mold is a huge issue because it usually grows unseen behind walls. If you have water issues, you need to not only remove the water but dry the area, too.
Property damage can evoke strong emotions. Restoration experts work with property owners, insurance agents, and business principles to provide the assistance affected parties need to handle the numerous variables water damage creates.
Floods can cause structural damage, such as loose or buckling floors and roof or foundation cracks, says Ready.gov. You may also notice broken or frayed electrical wires in your home after a flood. Remediation after a flood can take several weeks or even months.
Vincent Hesano of WeDRY Restoration in Auburn Hills says they have been receiving a large number of inquiries daily, stemming from heavier weather patterns beginning in July. “Many issues are weather related,” says Hesano, “and affect everything from the roof down to the basement.” They are also still seeing the everyday plumbing and appliance malfunction issues.
To prevent long term damage, Hesano advises homeowners to “keep a regular home maintenance schedule.” It is imperative to get ahead of any potential issues, especially as it is not always feasible in our current economy to get someone out right away.
“Our volume of calls has more than doubled,“ says Hesano. “Due to labor shortages, we are not able to help as many people as we would like to.”