Where the rain goes

Every time it rains in my community, the water runs through my street and falls in a drainage area. This area is a big hole that looks like a desert garden throughout most of the year, but when it’s full it looks like a small pond. I think it’s very clever, although it becomes a haven for mosquitoes in the monsoon season.

According to The Flood Control District of Maricopa County, Arizona’s desert environment “is conducive to flash flooding, due to unique soil and topography characteristics, winter and summer rainy seasons, and a widespread network of natural riverbeds, washes and channels.”

The other problem is that large urban areas are covered in concrete and asphalt, leaving no space for ground water absorption. Old communities run the risk of becoming flooded and new communities need to be built in compliance with 100-year floodplain analyses and regulations.

For example: “The lowest floor of the building must be elevated to the Regulatory Flood Elevation, which is one (1) foot above the floodway elevation or one (1) foot above the Base Flood Elevation, whichever is higher.” For more info go to http://www.fcd.maricopa.gov/Floodplain/faq.aspx

Hiring a geologist to look at your land before building and getting county information for your area before buying an old home is a good idea. Having this information at hand will help you decide if you do need to purchase flood insurance and what type of policy necessary to protect you from possible flood damage. Here's to a flood-free home sweet home. ~ J.S.