April showers bring May flowers is the wisdom we are told
but as we transition into spring and summer, shedding winter gear for outdoor
activities and longer days, hazards also change. No longer will our concerns be icy roads and
snow accumulation, but rather our focus shifts to flooding. Flooding can occur year round, but in the
spring the risk is higher. This is not
only due to April showers, but flooding also occurs as a result of ice and snow
melting at higher elevations or mountainous areas of the river. Did you know that the James River is 348
miles long and forms in the Appalachian Mountains? River flooding that occurs in Richmond may
not be a direct result of an impact to the area, and could originate from other
areas of Virginia. This type of river
flooding is referred to as overland flooding.
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| Overland flooding on Riverside Drive January 2010 |
In addition to overland flooding, flash flooding can occur
as a result of intense rainfall that occurs over a short period of time in a
low lying area. In addition to river
flooding, localized flooding can occur in smaller areas as a result of storm
drain blockage and development. New
development often contributes to flash flooding as new construction changes the
natural drainage in an area.
Hurricanes and tropical storms can leave an area devastated
by floods. Hurricane season for Virginia
begins on June 1st and continues to November 1st of every
year.
It is important during any type of flood event to never
drive through flooded roadways. The
depth of the water and the condition of the road underneath may not be
noticeable. Only six inches of water can
cause most passenger cars to lose control or stall and a foot of water can float
most vehicles. Trucks and sport utility
vehicles are not exceptions to this as two feet of water can carry them
away. After the storm has passed you may
be tempted to walk through flood waters, but this is often dangerous as these
waters can become contaminated with gasoline or raw sewage and be host to
harmful debris.
