With spring around the corner, Wisconsin Emergency Management encourages you to prepare for flooding. Flooding is one of the most frequently occurring natural disasters in the state.
Many communities across Wisconsin experienced flooding last year, even though some areas in the state were experiencing low water levels at the same time. Flood waters and runoff contaminate water supplies, destroy homes, damage property, and can even result in fatalities. There were 77 people killed in the U.S. in 2023 due to flooding.
Andrew Beckett, public information officer with WEM, says just one inch of water can cause $25,000 of damage to your home.
In addition to anticipated seasonal flooding, extreme precipitation events are expected to increase in the future, according to the Wisconsin Initiative On Climate Change Impacts 2021 Assessment Report.
What can you do to prepare, and how can you reduce the potentially devastating impacts of flooding?
- Learn how to cope with flooding and minimize damage.
- If you live in an area recently flooded, and you get your water from a private well, learn about the recommendations for private wells.
- Know what food is safe to eat, how to care for pets and livestock, and how to protect farm fields during floods with resources from the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
- Consider purchasing a flood insurance policy.
Do you know your risk? Type in your address on FEMA’s website to find out if you are in or near a flood zone.
If you’d like to be a part of the weather conversation, become a weather observer for the National Weather Service. You can submit weather data in real-time to help emergency services understand the impact of the weather in your area. Just visit WisconsinWeatherWatchers.org