Flash flooding

Plumberswife · 10-18-2011, 09:29 PM

Ok, yet again, Im asking for advice from this wonderful forum. We have determined that the property IS in a flood zone. ok, no problem, we will purchase flood insurance. The flood insurance isnt an issue, Id rather be safe than sorry. Its about 20ft from the river and about 8-9 ft "above" the river. My concern, and really my only concern ( we dont deal with flash flooding here, dont know anything about it) if theres a flash flood could we possibly be in harms way?? What do others do that live on the lake? I knwo this is a river but is water water??
Sorry, I appreciate all your help Im afraid of being swept down the Beech River in my sleep, scared

Belmont Resident · 10-20-2011, 06:04 AM

I would check with local records and more importantly check with the neighbors, both up river and down river that have been there forever.
Neighbors are probably your best resource.
We are in a flood zone at our Maine house but the river comes out of a lake (no dam) and it's about 20-25 feet down. It's never ever flooded even with heavy early season rains and snow melt. So we feel pretty safe.

Rattlesnake Gal · 10-20-2011, 10:35 AM

I would talk to the neighbors about the possibility of flash flooding and what it means to your location.

I wonder if there is some sort of alert system that could be put into place? This sort of scenario must be common in many areas of the country.

Newbiesaukee · 10-20-2011, 11:20 AM

I am not an expert but there is a difference between a river and the lake. The most dangerous kind of flash flooding is the very rapid rise of a narrow body of water (such as a river) when it is inundated with a heavy outpour from upstream, such as with very heavy rain. Certainly lakeside properties on Winnipesaukee can flood, but because of the size of the lake I would not expect flash flooding in the "dangerous" sense of a rise in the lake level. Of course, if you live on the lake and live next to a stream entering, the situation is different.

You really need to get your very specific information from folks knowledeable about your particular circumstance.

Plumberswife · 10-20-2011, 12:57 PM

I really appreciate your responces, and after much thought we have decided to walk away. While the "spot" on the river was just lovely, the land itself wasd a very small piece, the road to it was in need of repair and washed out frequently ( you could tell ) and the very last ( but what bothered us more than anything else) because of plowing issues, you were not able to use it in the Winter, you could only use it five months out of the year.
Thats not what this was supposed to be about.. We set out looking for a cabin that could be used whenever we wanted to use it, fun year round!!! Sooo, we have signed our P&S on an adorable cabin on a beautiful mountain!! 2 acres, we couldnt be happier!!! I want tot thank you all for your advice, kind words and input!!!
Looking forward to our new "escape" !!

10-18-2011, 09:29 PM	#1
Plumberswife Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cape Cod/Ossipee NH Posts: 38 Thanks: 14 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Flash flooding Ok, yet again, Im asking for advice from this wonderful forum. We have determined that the property IS in a flood zone. ok, no problem, we will purchase flood insurance. The flood insurance isnt an issue, Id rather be safe than sorry. Its about 20ft from the river and about 8-9 ft "above" the river. My concern, and really my only concern ( we dont deal with flash flooding here, dont know anything about it) if theres a flash flood could we possibly be in harms way?? What do others do that live on the lake? I knwo this is a river but is water water?? Sorry, I appreciate all your help Im afraid of being swept down the Beech River in my sleep, scared __________________ Be kinder than you need to be.......

10-20-2011, 06:04 AM	#2
Belmont Resident Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belmont NH but prefer Jackman Maine Posts: 1,857 Thanks: 491 Thanked 410 Times in 251 Posts	Advice I would check with local records and more importantly check with the neighbors, both up river and down river that have been there forever. Neighbors are probably your best resource. We are in a flood zone at our Maine house but the river comes out of a lake (no dam) and it's about 20-25 feet down. It's never ever flooded even with heavy early season rains and snow melt. So we feel pretty safe.

10-20-2011, 10:35 AM	#3
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,451 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	Flash FLooding I would talk to the neighbors about the possibility of flash flooding and what it means to your location. I wonder if there is some sort of alert system that could be put into place? This sort of scenario must be common in many areas of the country.

10-20-2011, 11:20 AM	#4
Newbiesaukee Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Coral Gables, winter; Long Island, summer Posts: 1,355 Thanks: 950 Thanked 573 Times in 298 Posts	I am not an expert but there is a difference between a river and the lake. The most dangerous kind of flash flooding is the very rapid rise of a narrow body of water (such as a river) when it is inundated with a heavy outpour from upstream, such as with very heavy rain. Certainly lakeside properties on Winnipesaukee can flood, but because of the size of the lake I would not expect flash flooding in the "dangerous" sense of a rise in the lake level. Of course, if you live on the lake and live next to a stream entering, the situation is different. You really need to get your very specific information from folks knowledeable about your particular circumstance. __________________ "You're only young once, but you can be immature forever."

10-20-2011, 12:57 PM	#5
Plumberswife Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cape Cod/Ossipee NH Posts: 38 Thanks: 14 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I really appreciate your responces, and after much thought we have decided to walk away. While the "spot" on the river was just lovely, the land itself wasd a very small piece, the road to it was in need of repair and washed out frequently ( you could tell ) and the very last ( but what bothered us more than anything else) because of plowing issues, you were not able to use it in the Winter, you could only use it five months out of the year. Thats not what this was supposed to be about.. We set out looking for a cabin that could be used whenever we wanted to use it, fun year round!!! Sooo, we have signed our P&S on an adorable cabin on a beautiful mountain!! 2 acres, we couldnt be happier!!! I want tot thank you all for your advice, kind words and input!!! Looking forward to our new "escape" !! __________________ Be kinder than you need to be.......

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Winnisquamguy (10-21-2011)