Hi all ~ reblogging this because it's a quintessential west to northeast storm -- then and now, through Wednesday morning. Plus, dopplar looks almost exactly like our radar this week. The storm that helped put out some of the Tennessee fires overnight is on it's way up the coast. We already had one wet basement call come in and are on the way to help clean a Bronxville homeowners flood. So, look below for my tips and do's and don'ts!
Flooding rains may lead to water damaged homes and businesses in Bronxville, NY 10708
Our usually spot-on National Weather forecasters alled for a wet week in Westchester County and the lower Hud.
During some heavy downpours today, I had flashbacks to flooding storms, during last summer's catastrophic hurricane, and our Tropical Storm Lee "chaser." It was that intense Monday!
Most of us had a very soggy start to the week and drove on flooding roads. Driving rains made most of our parkways and roads an adventure, even in my all wheel drive Subaru on the Hutch, where I drive almost daily.
To add to our fun, thunderstorms brought some lightening, and we responded mid-morning to a Westchester County home that suffered a lightening strike and minor fire. Luckily, it did not result in a damaging fire. The family was home for a long weekend and were safe, but emergency teams responded to their potential house fire as a precaution.
A neighbor on the same street was mopping her bathroom after yoga and luckily she was not standing on the wet tile, but on her "non-conductive" hardwood floor. When the lightening struck, her bathroom lit up in a vivid blue arc. She was amazed when her bathroom turned an electric blue, but she was safe!
Monday jump-started our stormy and sometimes dangerous week, giving Bronxville, New York's finest a run "for their engines." Local firefighters were on hand for downed tree limbs and power lines in the lower Hud, as branches fell and linemen tried to keep power working. Be sure to avoid and streets or sidewalks, if power lines or trees are down, especially if there is any water near and around the lines.
Photo - Jay Wilson, our fav Bronxville photographer & reporter!
Flood warning advisories are being issued for Westchester counties until Midnight Monday night. That's just a start, with our three day pattern of rainy weekdays for the fourth straight week, we may have nowhere for the rain to go.
For the past month, we seem to be on a roll here for three days of pesky weekday rain, sunny weekends and then we start over. Not may water damaged properties, yet, on our front, but this week may be the capper for our high water table.
So, your hints from Hillary this week?:
* Avoid driving in areas where heavy rain is pooling on roadways, especially on our tight, twisting Westchester County parkways. You can hydroplane or slide across the water and lose control, with little room for error on the Bronx River or Hutch Parkways near Bronxville. It's better to take a high road, back roads and even slower streets and be safe. Even if there is only a apparent inch or so visible on a road, it's not worth your life.
* Do not drive into water covered streets or roads with an unknown amount of flood water on the surface in Bronxville and along the local parkways and low level roads. The water may be deeper than you think, and moving faster, too. Only two inches of flood water with any current could pull an SUV into the muck.
If your home or business has flooding or water damage from heavy rains, you can:
- Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
- Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
- Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
- Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting
- Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer, or the heat on high on cool nights.
- Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
- Remove art objects to a safe, dry place.
- Gather loose items from floors and lay them out to dry on a water safe, or non-porous surface.
Water damage into your home or business can result in mold growth, or that "icky" mildew odor that means its growing. Water can invade your home due to storm damage, plumbing or equipment failures, long standing leaks and/or poor humidity control. When these water issues are not addressed right away, the damage can be an increased risk of harmful mold growth. (See my next blog on Mold, now that our humid summer months are underway.) So, call a pro to test for moisture and perhaps do a "structural drying," to pull water out of walls, flooring and even carpeting. If your property has sustained a recent water damage, it's vital to removed excess water and dry the structure promptly and completely.
What's in store later this week and any flood warnings in Westchester? Tuesday through Thursday it looks like showers on and off each day and into the night, with fog to follow. In fact, some afternoons we could have heavy rain and thunderstorms, with spots of thick fog overnight and up to "an inch of rain," according to national and local forecasters.
With our water table up and the river levels higher, after a few weeks of three day rains, keep an eye out for flooded basements and garages. Check your dry wells, storm drains on the sidewalks and make sure they are clear of debris and are handling the water flow. If not, you can call your town or local Dept. of Public Works folks and ask them for advice, or to come and take a look at your street.
By the weekend, we should have storm free afternoons and enjoy sunny days, Friday through Sunday. It's a good thing, so that we can dry out at last from days of stormy weather. Last tip from Hill, wear sunscreen Saturday and Sunday...and enjoy the sunshine while it lasts!
Flooding rains midweek can cause water damage in homes and businesses - Bronxville NY 10708
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