Evaluating Flood Risks, Potential Property Damage and Indoor Environmental Quality Issues

A number of areas across North America have recently experienced flooding events due to the spring thaw and heavy rains. Anytime there is a flood it can cause devastating damage to a home, business or other type of building, so it’s important that people understand flood risks in their area. In fact, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that just 1 inch of water can cause $25,000 of damage to a typical home.

It’s essential to recognize that because if a flood hasn’t occurred in a particular area, that doesn’t mean it won’t occur in the future. Flood risks aren’t just based on history. They are also the result of numerous factors, including rainfall, river-flow and tidal-surge, topography, flood-control measures, and changes due to building and development in an area.

To help communities understand the risk, Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) have been created to show the locations of high-risk, moderate- to low-risk and undetermined-risk areas.
 

• In a high-risk area, there is at least a 1 in 4 chance of flooding during a 30-year mortgage. All home and business owners in these areas with mortgages from federally regulated or insured lenders are required to buy flood insurance.

• In moderate- to low-risk areas, the risk of being flooded is reduced, but not completely removed. Flood insurance isn’t federally required in moderate- to low-risk areas, but it is recommended for all property owners and renters.

• In undetermined-risk areas, no flood-hazard analysis has been conducted in these areas, but a flood risk still exists.

“Damaged building materials, belongings and even structural damage may occur as a result of flood damage,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Understanding the risk and being prepared is important. In addition, indoor environmental issues may also be present or quickly follow when a flood happens. Exposure concerns range from mold, bacteria and viruses to chemical contaminants. Properties with lead-based paints and asbestos-containing materials are also a hazard if the proper safety procedures are not taken during cleanup, demolition and repair activities.”

Those who encounter flooding or other types of water damage in their home, office or school can turn to the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) professionals at EMSL Analytical, Inc.  EMSL offers laboratory services, sampling supplies, test kits and inspection tools to identify mold, bacteria, lead, asbestos, sewage, chemicals and other potential hazards. They have even sponsored an educational video about flood risks, property damage and IEQ concerns that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/uEomZzY07Kw.

To learn more about this or other property damage, indoor air quality, environmental, occupational, health and safety testing services or for access to building inspection tools, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com . For IEQ test kits, visit www.EMSLTestKits.com.


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories with over 46 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP 797, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail