In 2019, the Green Bay area experienced the wettest year in 125 years of recorded weather history. We exceeded our previous record of 39.21 (set in 2018) inches by October. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting another wet winter for 2020 across the Midwest.
Because we have had back to back record-breaking wet years the ground is saturated and our rivers and streams have been in flood stage since spring. The expected wet winter in this already water-logged area is expected to cause record-breaking flooding again in the spring of 2020.
The Town of Ledgeview and all Green Bay area communities are preparing for public safety flood response (i.e. road closures, evacuation routes, evacuation transport, power outage response, etc.). However, there is little we can do to prevent or reduce the impact of the expected flooding because the ground is saturated, rivers and streams are already flooded, and Lake Michigan water levels are expected to rise due to the back to back water logged years.
There is no place for the water to go and there is no way to stop the water from coming. All we as local government and you as residents can do is prepare to respond to flooding.
Steps you can take to prepare your family and your home for flooding:
Sewer backflow valve: if you live in a newer home, one was probably installed when the home was built. If not, a plumber can install one. Backflow valves reduce the likelihood of sewage backing up into your home. A properly maintained backwater valve allows water to flow only in one direction at a time due to a mechanical disc (flapper) that will close during high flow periods (i.e. large rain events), reducing the chance that sewage can enter your basement from the sewer main. A backwater valve is installed in the private sewer lateral (the line that connects your home to the main sewer).
Flood insurance: Standard homeowners and renter’s insurance policies DO NOT cover damage from flooding. If your home is in an area that is mapped as a flood zone, you likely have basic flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The basic NFIP coverage is $250,000 for the structure of the home and $100,000 for contents (cash value, not replacement) with limited coverage for belongings stored in a basement. NFIP flood insurance is only available in designated flood zones. For more information about the NFIP, visit floodsmart.gov. If your home is NOT in a mapped flood zone, private flood insurance is available as a separate policy. For more information contact your homeowner’s insurance carrier.