By David Emory Stooksbury
University of
Georgia
The very wet summer of 2005 has caused the risk of flooding to be
usually high across Georgia.
Soil moisture and stream flows are already very high for the
middle of August. Most reservoirs and ponds are at or near the
summer full pool.
Heavy rainfall can lead to rapid flooding, as there is minimal
storage capacity left in the soils, rivers and reservoirs.
A special concern is the potential impact of a widespread rain
event associated with tropical weather. Localized flooding
associated with individual thunderstorm complexes is also more
likely this summer.
The elevated flood risk is expected to remain for the foreseeable
future.
Insurance
Most insurance policies for homes and businesses don’t cover
losses caused by flooding. An additional policy is required.
Information about the federal National Flood Insurance Program
may be found at www.fema.gov/fima/nfip.shtm.
It takes 30 days for
a new policy to start, so it’s important to start the program
before flooding is forecast.
Another problem associated with wet soils is falling trees. Trees
with poor roots due to disease, damage or poor growth are more
likely to fall over. Trees will rotten trunks and limbs are also
more like to cause damage.
Since it’s very hard to determine the health of a tree’s roots,
trunk and branches by simple inspection, it’s best to have a
certified arborist inspect trees.
Soaked soils
Soil moisture is extremely high for August. It’s at the 99th
percentile north and west of a Valdosta-to-Macon-to-Lincolnton
line and south and east of a Columbus-to-Carrolton-to-Blairsville
line. This means that in 99 of 100 years, we would expect soils
to be drier than they are now.
For the remainder of the state, soil moisture is generally
greater than the 90th percentile, except in the extreme northwest
corner. At the 90th percentile, we would expect the soils to be
drier in 90 of 100 years than they are now.
Streams and rivers across Georgia are extremely high for August.
On Aug. 10, daily record flows were recorded on the Oconee River
near Athens, Apalachee River near Bostwick, Broad River near
Bell, Little River near Washington, Alcovy River near Covington,
Ocmulgee River from Jackson to Macon and Spring Creek near Iron
City.
Most of the other major rivers in the state are at or above the
90th percentile in flow for the middle of August.
Tropical threats
Because of the increased threat of flooding, Georgians need to
monitor the development of tropical systems over the next several
months.
The best way to keep updated about weather conditions and weather
warnings is a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
weather radio. NOAA weather radios are available at most stores
that sell electronics.
Recent rainfall information is available from the Georgia
Automated Environmental Monitoring Network (www.georgiaweather.net)
of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and
Environmental Sciences.
More information on preparing for a flood and recovery can be
found at http://interests.caes.uga.edu/disaster/preparation/articles.htm
and http://interests.caes.uga.edu/disaster/recovery/articles.htm.
(David Emory Stooksbury is the state climatologist and a
professor of engineering and atmospheric sciences in the
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental
Sciences.)
