How Much Water Damage Do Hurricanes Cause?

7/6/2021 (Permalink)

We're here to help restore your business or home to like-new no matter how extensive the storm damage! Call 904-246-6118 for help, 24/7.

For people who live in hurricane-prone areas, news of a hurricane can seem mundane. Especially if you’ve never personally experienced hurricane damage, you may think they are overhyped. In truth, though, hurricanes do a great deal of damage each year.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there were 28 weather disasters between 2019 and 2020 that each caused more than $1 billion of damage. In fact, a 2019 report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projected the annual economic losses from hurricane winds and flooding to be about $54 billion, with $34 billion of that damage happening to homes. Hurricane damage in Florida is not something to ignore, because Florida is hit by more hurricanes than any other state: 121 hurricanes, 37 of them major, since 1851.

Why is hurricane damage so serious? Hurricanes are extremely intense storms, bringing high-velocity winds, waves, tornadoes, and floodwaters. They are ranked in terms of severity on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most destructive. A Category 1 Hurricane has winds that range from 74 to 95 miles per hour and may cause only minor damage. By contrast, a Category 5 Hurricane can bring winds of up to 157 miles per hour, which can destroy the roof and walls of a house. A Category 5 Hurricane can also cause power outages and knock down trees. A hurricane does not have to be a Category 5 to cause major damage though, because damage from Categories 3 and 4 can be almost as extreme.

Flood damage is perhaps the most devastating aspect of a hurricane. Hurricanes cause flooding in different ways, as storm surge pushes seawater onto the shore and heavy rains drench even inland areas. Entire regions can end up flooded for days. When that region includes your home or business, water damage can be extensive. Because water weighs about 1,700 pounds per cubic yard, it can be brutal on structures not meant to take that kind of force.

Water can damage your home in several different ways. It can cause floor dampness. If you’ve lived in Florida for any length of time you know that dampness inside your home is not going to dry out on its own. In fact, if your floor is soaked in a hurricane, you may end up having to tear up flooring, baseboards, and even your drywall. If you sustain a roof leak, you could end up needing mold remediation. What’s more, water damage from rising floodwaters is often polluted and can be dangerous. You will need professional help removing that water from your house or business.

If your Northeast Florida home or commercial property is damaged in a hurricane or tropical storm, call SERVPRO of Jacksonville Beach/Ponte Vedra. Our highly-trained restoration technicians have the experience and equipment to restore your Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, or Ponte Vedra home to its pre-storm condition. A trusted leader in the water restoration industry, we’ve served our community for more than 40 years. Call (904) 246-6118 or contact us through our website.