Flooding (Savannah, Garden City, Pooler: insurance, how much, house)

[Robert A. Johnson]

Is there a flooding problem in any part of the Savannah area?

[Padgett2]

Flooding from VERY heavy thundershowers during a period of the incoming high tides, can result in the rain water being unable to drain into the canals. We have serval BIG canals) Thus, some low lying areas can flood. Once the tides change, the tide gates open and the rain water begins to drain away.

This is NOT the same as rivers overflowing. We don't have that kind of flooding.

Savannah was built on swampy low ground and has a high water table. Over the years, some areas have been overbuilt for the storm sewer system. Once when the City of Savannah and Chatham County had a dispute over something, the County threatened to quit maintaining the drainage canals and just let Savannah float out to sea. It's not that bad. But the picture is fairly accurate. The Netherlands and Savannah have a lot in common, except their problem is the ocean and ours is rain and drainage. Newly constructed pumping stations have made a big difference. So have better building restrictions about where building and parking lots can be constructed.


So the answer to the question is Yes, sometimes when the conditions are right, (high tide, heavy rain, low areas) some areas of Savannah can get water deep enough that you have to be foolish to try to drive through it. But that takes a lot of rain over a short period of time.

[Robert A. Johnson]

Thanks - a most informative answer. Are there any particular areas more prone than others?

[Padgett2]

Generally speaking, no. Not any particular area, but some small low or badly drained spots all over the county can, and do, flood from time to time. Some are actually heavily traveled main streets. It's not difficult to figure out where these areas are. There is just a limit to how much water can be carried off by the storm sewers in a short period of time.

Our new pumping stations are set up on the major canals. At the time of such rains, they start pumping and reverse the flow of the water from the natural flow toward the Savannah River, and send it in the opposite direction to a nearby marsh (or in one case, the municipal golf course) The system is fairly new, and not yet complete, but seems to be working well.

[gaduchman]

I don't think Pooler has the same problems as the city itself.

[ellie]

Originally Posted by Robert A. Johnson

Thanks - a most informative answer. Are there any particular areas more prone than others?

There are parts of midtown and Ardsley Park that seem to flood frequently. If you're willing to pursue it, contact the City Engineering office and ask them.

[bgnzsavnh]

Chatham County's Local Flood Hazard
Flooding | Chatham Emergency Management Agency
Georgia Flood Mapping System:
Georgia Flood Mapping Program

http://www.chathamemergency.org/docs...%20Graphic.jpg

Floodsmart.gov: Your premier resource for flood insurance information

drainage projects Map:
http://www.chathamcounty.org/Chatham/DR_page3.jpg

[Robert A. Johnson]

Thanks to all. We are considering moving to the area and have previously looked in the Charleston area and were a bit concerned re the flooding there - seemingly much more serious than your area.

[Padgett2]

Our kind of "flood" is more of a nuisance that a serious problem. Under the heading of It Pays To Be Cautious, stay away from any house that's built on a slab. Get one with a crawl space under it. Then, if you do have a period of very heavy rain, it won't run under the front door.

Our ground is also sandy and porous. Water drains down quickly. On the west side of the Chatham County, such as Pooler and Garden City, the soil is more like swamp muck in spots and doesn't drain as well as those areas nearer the coast. Charleston probably has about the same situation. Beaufort (between Charleston and Savannah) is VERY low but still manages to function well.

It's unbelievable the amount of rain that has fallen in the last few days. Most unusual. We are all curious as to how much more we will see. This has got to be some sort of record rain for all of the coastal areas.

[Robert A. Johnson]

Thanks again. We look forward to our move if we can find something suitable on Wilmington or Skidaway or similar area. Looking for something in the $300-$400k area with a bit of land(1/2 ac+) and proximity to salt water.