The melting process has started in Cleveland as some areas in the snowbelt are dealing with deep snow that needs to be melted. While a slow melt would be ideal, it seems that this week’s warmer weather will bring a more challenging situation.
Temperatures rose into the 50s on Sunday, kickstarting the melting process. The forecast predicts temperatures will remain above freezing until later on Wednesday.
However, rain is expected Sunday night through Monday, adding approximately another ½” of liquid into the mix. The rainfall will help melt some of the snow, but it could also create issues with drainage systems trying to manage the snowmelt and rain simultaneously.
Here are some tips to keep your home from having flooding issues.
Clear Drains
This one is so important and the number one thing you can do to prevent issues. Keep your storm drains clear of debris. Water cannot efficiently get through clogged drains, which can cause backups and flooding. Removing any leaves, twigs, branches, ice, etc from the drain will allow as much water as possible to move through the system quickly and hopefully keep up with the pace of melting (and rainfall).
Clear Gutters
Remove ice jams and debris (if possible). Direct downspouts away from the foundation to prevent pooling of the water. Extensions can be used to get the runoff further away from the structure. Try to ensure the water coming out of the downspout has an efficient path to travel.
Create Drainage Paths
Do what you can to encourage runoff to flow towards the drains. The faster it can reach the drain, the better. Have a clear path for water to move that takes it away from structures and vulnerable areas of your property. Sandbags can also be helpful in directing water, if necessary.
Move Snow Around
Try to move snow away from foundations, driveways, and other important areas. Spread out snowbanks as melting is going on. This will reduce the intensity of runoff and spread out the flow.
Just a few things to think about as the snow melts over the next few days. Temperatures will drop below freezing again later Wednesday through Saturday morning. There will also be the potential for some more lake effect snow with the cold. As the cold returns, watch out for standing water and runoff that will refreeze and cause issues.
