Spring Storm Preparedness: Protect Your Atlanta Home from Flooding

Spring Storms Hit Georgia Hard

Georgia's spring storm season runs from March through May, bringing heavy rainfall, severe thunderstorms, and the flash flooding that catches homeowners off guard every year. The Atlanta metro area receives an average of nearly 50 inches of rain annually, with spring delivering some of the heaviest downpours.

For homeowners in Sharpsburg, Stockbridge, Buford, Newnan, and surrounding communities, spring storm preparation is not optional. The homes that escape damage are the ones whose owners took preventive action before the storms arrived.

Exterior Preparation

Start outside, where most storm water damage originates. Inspect your roof for missing, cracked, or curling shingles. Check flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights. Even minor roof damage becomes a major leak during a heavy downpour.

Clean gutters and downspouts thoroughly. Debris-clogged gutters overflow during storms, sending water cascading down exterior walls and pooling against your foundation. Ensure downspouts extend at least four to six feet from the house. Add extensions if necessary.

Check the grading around your foundation. Soil should slope away from the house at a rate of at least one inch per foot for the first six feet. Over time, soil settles and shifts, creating depressions where water collects against the foundation wall. Add topsoil to correct low spots before spring rains begin.

Trim tree branches that hang over your roof. Dead or weakened branches become projectiles during high winds and can puncture roofing, break windows, or knock down power lines. Remove dead trees entirely if they are within falling distance of your home.

Interior Preparation

Inside your home, check the areas most vulnerable to water intrusion. Inspect the basement or crawl space for existing moisture, cracks in walls or floor, and signs of previous water entry. Seal any cracks with hydraulic cement.

Test your sump pump by pouring a bucket of water into the pit. It should activate automatically, pump the water out, and shut off. If it hesitates, runs continuously, or does not activate, service or replace it immediately. Install a battery backup unit so the pump operates during power outages, which are common during severe storms.

Check the caulking around windows and exterior doors. Gaps in caulk allow wind-driven rain to enter wall cavities where it causes hidden damage. Replace any deteriorated caulking.

Know where your main water shutoff valve is located. While this is more relevant for plumbing failures than storm flooding, knowing this location is essential emergency preparedness for any type of water event.

During the Storm

If severe storms are forecast, move valuables, electronics, and important documents away from ground-floor and basement areas. Elevate items on shelves or move them upstairs if flooding is a possibility.

Do not attempt to walk or drive through flooded areas. Six inches of moving water can knock an adult off their feet, and two feet of water can float most vehicles. If water begins entering your home during a storm, move to higher ground and wait for the water to recede.

What to Do After Flooding

Once the storm passes and water recedes, document all damage before beginning any cleanup. Take photographs and video of every affected area, damaged item, and waterline mark. This documentation is essential for your insurance claim.

Do not enter a flooded area if there is any possibility of electrical hazard. If standing water has reached outlets, appliances, or your electrical panel, have an electrician confirm it is safe before entering.

Contact your insurance company within 24 hours. File your claim promptly and provide the documentation you gathered. Delays in reporting can complicate your claim.

Begin water removal as quickly as possible. Every hour that water sits in your home increases the damage. Mold can begin growing within 24 to 48 hours of water exposure, turning a manageable cleanup into a major remediation project.

Champion Cleaning Systems provides 24/7 emergency water damage restoration across metro Atlanta. Our IICRC-certified teams respond within 60 minutes to Sharpsburg, Stockbridge, Buford, Newnan, and all surrounding communities.

Call Champion 24/7 at (404) 282-6821.