Folks who live near the coast know that hurricane season doesn’t actually end until the end of November. Don’t let your guard down now, because there is still a chance that the wind and rain of a hurricane could affect us. Not only that but nor’easters which bring rain, rising tides, snow, and wind are more common during fall and winter. A nor’easter is called so because the storm travels in a northeast direction. These large storms form on the east coast and affect the Mid-Atlantic states and New England.
Parts of our area on the peninsula are prone to flooding, especially homes near the rivers. Besides stocking up on food, and water, or even preparing to evacuate depending on the forecast, something to consider is your well and septic system.
Power Outages:
Well: We have all experienced power outages before, but during storms such as hurricanes and nor’easters, the power could be out for weeks at a time. A power outage could actually affect your well pump. We highly recommend purchasing a generator in preparation for times like these. You can have the generator connected to the well pump. Just remember to have a professional carry out that task.Â
Septic: For those with septic systems, use water sparingly during power outages to avoid overflow. When the power returns, call your septic company right away if you think something is not working as it should. They will be able to come out and assess any issues and make sure your septic system is back in action for you and your family.
Flooding:
Well: If your well was submerged by rising tides or flood waters, wait to turn on your well pump. This is one reason why it’s imperative to stock up on water to drink before these types of storms hit. Don’t risk drinking the water from your well until it has been tested and determined not contaminated.Â
Septic: If your yard was flooded and submerged, keep an eye out for any sewage backup from plumbing fixtures such as between the toilet and floor. Another possibility is the erosion of soil due to flooding or large amounts of rainwater. The VDH reports that after Hurricane Isabel in 2003, homeowners found that roots from falling trees disturbed drain fields and other parts of their septic.
Here at Miller’s Services, we sure remember a lot of the hurricanes and nor’easters that pass through our area. We’ve experienced these issues with our family, and we want to make sure you have the tools and knowledge if you also experience flooding issues such as these. You have the Miller’s Family here to help. Call us before, during, or after the storm. We’ll be here.