Protect Yourself From Baltimore Flooding
Many of us may not have been prepared for frequent storms and flooding this summer in Maryland. And when your electricity goes out it can be really inconvenient. Baltimore residents especially knew that this summer was going to be hot and rainy. So today, we’re going to look at everything you need to know about staying safe from Baltimore flooding.
Baltimore Areas Prone to Flooding
First of all, every home has some risk of flooding. But some areas are more prone to flooding than others.
For example, Baltimore has 52 miles of shoreline. Which means that the city often deals with severe storms and flooding. Obviously homes close to the shore may be at risk, but Baltimore as other at risk areas. These include homes near the city’s two major drainage basins: the Patapsco River Basin and the Back River Basin.
Both the Gwynns Falls stream and the Jones Falls stream flow through parts of the city into the Patapsco River. Meanwhile, Herring Run drains into Back River. Due to the amount of paved areas in cities, soil can’t absorb all the run off during heavy storms. According to the US Geological Survey, when excess stormwater can’t be absorbed by the ground the excess water will flow into streams and rivers and cause them to overflow.
You can also check out FEMA flood maps to see how at risk you are. FEMA explains that areas marked with an A or V on their flood maps are at most risk of flooding. Baltimore County residents will want to check out this Baltimore County government information page. In particular, you’ll want to check out this flood insurance document.
How to Stay Safe
So what do you do to protect your home and family from flooding? Here are a few tips.
- Stay Alert: During storm season, make sure you keep an eye out for the latest weather reports for news outlets. Also, be sure to check out Baltimore’s National Weather Service Twitter page.
- Keep Your Gutter Clean: You can help limit urban run off at your home by keeping your gutters clean. This also reduces the chance for rain water to get into your home. Bob Villa has some great information on proper gutter maintenance.
- Protect your home from runoff: The EPA put out an article about potential DIY solutions for improving your homes water absorption. Which includes using rain barrels or planting a rain garden.
- Prepare for Blackouts: Bad storms can cause power outages. But an ounce of prevention can see you through. The Department of Energy has excellent blackout preparation tips including stocking non-perishable foods and keeping an outdoor grill ready to go if you need to cook in an emergency.
Stay Safe Flooding in Baltimore
Lately it seems like Baltimore is receiving storm and flood warnings every week or two. And it makes sense cause of the city’s flooding risk levels. But you can stay on top of things so you can stay safe.
You can keep up with the news that affects your bills at https://www.mdenergyratings.com. You can also shop for great plans and find ways to save money on lower electricity rates.