Snowmelt is Right Around the Corner

Your flood risk doesn't freeze in the winter.   

While spring is often considered the start of flood season, there are winter risks your clients should be aware of. This will continue to be true as the unpredictability of climate change exposes all property to some type of flood risk. If you live in an area prone to snow, help educate your community about this commonly overlooked flood risk: snowmelt.  

Snowmelt is a natural part of the water cycle, but when warmer weather leads to snow thawing too rapidly, it's unable to be absorbed by the frozen ground, surrounding water bodies or local drainage systems. This can lead to snowmelt flooding neighboring properties, including your client’s home or business.   

Climate change has caused more unseasonably warm temperatures each winter leading to areas experiencing a higher risk of snowmelt as early as January and February. Sudden  
temperature differences during this time can lead to an increased risk of flooding.   

All it takes is a warm day or heavy rainfall after it snows to cause severe flood damage. This was the case in June 2022 when unseasonably warm temperatures escalated snowmelt in Yellowstone National Park at the same time that record rainfall dropped 8-9 inches of rain over 24 hours in much of the northern area of the park in Wyoming and Montana, causing widespread damage and the park’s closure for the first time in decades.   

Snowmelt can happen anywhere snow falls, creating a disaster for local residents. It can take just one inch of flood water to cause as much as $25,000 in damage. Remind your clients not to flake on flood insurance as it’s the best way to make sure they’re protected in the event of a flood.