Flood Facts – Water is a Powerful Force

7/8/2024 (Permalink)

House flood from a broken washer drain line

Running water is the most powerful force on earth, so powerful that it can shape landscapes, erase population centers, and create changes to entire ecosystems. Yet, despite this information, many people are unable to put the force of water into terms that they can truly understand.

Water, By the Numbers

6 inches of rushing water can sweep an adult human being off their feet. It is essential to exercise caution when trying to cross moving water, especially during flooding conditions.

12 inches of water can move a small car, and 24 inches can move a truck, SUV, or a mobile home. Moving water at 2 miles per hour can move a vehicle off a bridge or overpass.

5 minutes in heavy rainy conditions would be enough to create flash flood conditions. Flash floods can be particularly dangerous as they can uproot trees, dislodge boulders, and move significant quantities of dangerous debris very quickly.

All 50 states are susceptible to flash flooding. The average speed of rushing water ranges between 6 and 12 miles per hour (9 feet per second), creating a very dangerous situation which can lead to fatalities.

66% of all floods related casualties occur when people try to drive through flooded areas, only to discover it is too deep to navigate safely.

A 2,000 square foot house with 12 inches of water damage will cost nearly $50,000 to repair to its original condition.

After the Disaster

When the water recedes enough for traffic to move, make your first call to SERVPRO® of Downtown Honolulu. Once our trained team arrives on site, we’ll quickly assess the situation, pump out any remaining water in the structure, and begin a thorough process of drying your property.

Water can compromise the structural integrity of buildings, weakening walls, supports, and foundations. Additionally, heating, cooling, electrical, and other utility services which are often found in basements can be severely damaged. SERVPRO of Downtown Honolulu has the right equipment and training to make sure your property is dried to the highest standard, ensuring mold or other bacterial growth has no place to start.