For the past two years, the majority of California has been under drought conditions. Enter “atmospheric rivers, which may not be visible, but are a crucial part of our planet’s weather, and have moved approximately 64% of California out of drought conditions.
These “rivers” in the sky play an important role in bringing vast amounts of water from the tropics to other parts when they make landfall. According to the USGS, they form near the equator where the sun heats the earth most directly, and these warm temperatures cause water to evaporate and rise into the atmosphere. These large bodies of moisture form over the ocean. Some of that water vapor is pulled away from the equator by atmospheric circulation, forming a narrow band that transports it to other regions like a conveyer belt.
“Atmospheric rivers flow in the lowest part of the atmosphere, only about half a mile to a mile above the ground,” according to the USGS. “When they reach the coasts and flow inland over mountains, the atmospheric river is pushed upwards, causing much of that water vapor to condense and fall to the ground as rain or snow, creating an atmospheric river-driven storm.”
Pretty incredible - and yet another reminder that nature works wonders!
Recent Rain and Snowfalls Have Caused Flooding, Road Closures, Mudslides...
Several western states have experienced a deluge of water in the form of rain and snow in recent weeks, causing flooding, road closures, mudslides, and even closures of some of the most seasoned ski resorts in the Sierra Nevada mountains! California and neighboring states often experience the ebb and flow of natural disasters like wildfires, droughts, mudslides, and floods.
Recently western states have been impacted by several atmospheric rivers taking states like California from drought conditions to being unable to handle the fast flow of water pouring out of the skies. When the ground is dried out by drought conditions, it can be difficult for the land to take up any extra water when heavy rainfalls drench dry ground, which may lead to flooding – particularly in low-lying areas. The drier the dirt, the harder it becomes and acts more like a barrier rather than soaking in ground water. This can often lead to localized flooding, as the water behaves as in “runoff” conditions, where the water flows over the dirt to a lower-lying area and accumulates.
While there is no certainty that California is done with droughts, it appears that the recent storms have had at the very least, a temporary reprieve. In March of 2022, nearly all of California was under drought conditions, ranging from moderate to extreme drought. With the atmospheric river-driven storms in early 2023, approximately two-thirds of California is drought-free, as of March 21, 2023.
In the graph below, the California Data Exchange Center (CDEC), managed by the Department of Water Resources, provides access to hydrologic and climate information used to support real-time flood management and water supply needs in California. This graph shows that one of California’s reservoirs, Lake Oroville, was at 122% of its historical average and 82% of capacity (as of March 20, 2023), after being at 71% of historical average and 37% of total capacity on January 1, 2023.
What is a homeowner to do when the rains are relentless?
5 Things Homeowners Can Do to Help Prevent Flooding in their Homes and Garages
- Ensure gutters and downspouts are clear and properly connected, and are draining away from your foundation.
- Place a sump pump in low-lying areas that tend to pool water to remove water from your property.
- In case of more extreme flooding, have a plan in place to evacuate the home.
- Place flood barriers like sandbags or plastic sheeting around vulnerable areas of your property.
- Install a barrier, or seal, under your garage doors to keep water from flooding your garage.
Clear and Ensure Gutters and Downspouts are Connected
Keeping the gutters and downspouts of your home clear and properly connected is an important part of maintaining a waterproof foundation during heavy rains. Clogged gutters and downspouts can lead to water overflowing or pooling near the foundation, which can weaken it over time. Additionally, when water is able to flow away from the base of your home in heavy rains, it helps protect against floods and other damage to landscaping around the house. To ensure that your gutters and downspouts are functioning correctly, regularly inspect them for debris, clean out as needed, check for loose connections, and make sure that they are directing water away from your foundation.
Use a Sump Pump in Low-Lying Areas
Place a sump pump in low-lying areas that tend to pool water to remove water from your property. A sump pump can be a great way to protect your home from flooding during heavy rains. You can place this device in the lowest part of your property, typically around the foundation, and it will pump out any collected water automatically when it reaches a certain level. By preventing water from pooling around your house, sump pumps help keep heavy rains from flooding into lower levels of your home. Garages are usually at risk since they are at ground level. Additionally, sump pumps can help protect landscaping and other investments around the home by diverting excess water away from those areas.
Make an Evacuation Plan in Case of Extreme Flooding
In case of more extreme flooding, have a plan in place to evacuate the home. Having an evacuation plan can be a lifesaver during flooding, or any other emergency situation. Knowing your home's evacuation routes, pre-designated meeting places, and the contact information of family members are all important steps to take in case of a flooding emergency. In the event of an evacuation, you should consider keeping handy access to:
- Pets and pet supplies, including food, water and any pet medications
- Important documents, such as license and insurance policies
- Electronics, such as a laptop or phone
- Valuables, such as jewelry and art pieces that are irreplaceable
- Medications, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may need
- In the case you accidently leave your medications behind, you can obtain an emergency override for early refills. Federal and state governments provide regulations around obtaining such overrides, but it is possible to receive a temporary refill of your necessary medications if you have to evacuate. If your medical insurance/providers have a mobile app, you should be able to access your provider, insurance information, and your ID card on your phone.
Place Flood Barriers Around Vulnerable Areas of Your Property
Place flood barriers like sandbags or plastic sheeting around vulnerable areas of your property. Sandbags are a great and relatively inexpensive way to protect property from floods. They can be purchased online or at most local home improvement stores. Sandbags come in various sizes and fill capacities according to the level of protection needed for your specific property. Most sandbags come empty and need to be filled with sand or dirt, which is readily available from most hardware or garden stores. Filled sandbags should then be placed along the outside perimeter of the property to help divert any incoming water away from the home’s foundation. For added protection, some homeowners will also place them indoors in vulnerable areas such as near windows and doors or around basement entries.
Install a Heavy-Duty Seal Under your Garage Doors to Prevent Garage Flooding
Install a barrier, or seal, under your garage doors to keep water from flooding your garage. Garage door seals are an easy and effective way to help keep rainwater out of your garage. These seals fit around under your garage door to form a watertight barrier, blocking rain from entering the space. Installing a garage door seal can help prevent the contents of your garage from getting ruined by water damage. In addition to providing basic protection against floods, these seals are also great for keeping dirt and dust out of the garage, making it easier to keep it clean and well-maintained.
Garage door seals are an easy, cost-effective way to keep your garage safe from the elements.
For example, the Tsunami Seal® garage threshold seal is a one-piece, durable vinyl strip that is permanently secured to the garage floor just under the garage door. The half-inch tall barrier sits under the bottom of the garage door, preventing water and other debris from coming in under the door.
If you’ve had rainwater flooding in your garage, check out how the Tsunami Seal® can help you prevent garage flooding in the future. As one 5-star reviewer said, "Was the easy answer for keeping water out of our garage."
