Hurricane Florence is headed our way, and it is bringing a lot of rain and wind with it:
To our west, the mountains of Virginia could see more than 4 inches of rain with localized amounts in excess of 1 foot.
That would add up between Sunday and next Wednesday as the remnants of Florence lift back to the north, and flash flooding could be a significant danger along and west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
With heavy rain, the potential for flooding, and strong winds in the forecast, the time to prepare is now.
Preparing for Hurricane Florence
- Secure your home’s openings. Make sure all windows, doors and bulkheads are securely closed and locked pre-storm.
- Clear your yard. Bring in or secure all of your outdoor furniture and décor.
- Clean your storm drains. The surplus of rain water needs a clear route to flow away from your home.
- Check your gutters. Make sure your gutters are clear of any leaves, dirt and debris that can stop their flow.
- Make sure the sump pump is ready for action. Your sump pump is your home’s first line of defense against water damage.
Not sure if your home’s sump pump is ready for action against Florence? Here are some easy steps to ensure that it is powered on and ready to pump if needed:
- Check the power. Make sure there is power to your sump pump. The breaker or GFI receptacle powering the sump pump could be tripped.
- Examine the functionality. Manually lift the float on the sump pump a couple of times to ensure that the pump turns on.
- Make sure it is ready to pump. Add water to the sump pump pit to verify the pump is pumping and that the pump discharge pipe is not obstructed.
Having your sump pump ready to work against the flooding effects of Florence is extremely important. If you are experiencing any sump pump issues give our professional plumbers a call before the storm at 540-942-2700
