Flooding where you don't expect it? Moving to a new area with rivers or lakes close by?

When your moving to a new area and occupying a new home, sometimes you would never expect a flood.  "Oh that hasn't flooded since 19xx or 18xx"  This year we have seen the floods no one expected.  In our area Lake Champlain is 3 feet over flood stage, the largest lake flooding in history! 

The USGS reports

"The highest recorded level at the gage in Burlington was 101.86 feet above mean sea level on April 27, 1993. An historical maximum lake level of 102.1 feet above mean sea level was measured on May 4, 1869 at Rousses Point, New York. The mark left by the rising water was measured on a railroad bridge.
The minimum lake level observed in Burlington was 92.6 feet above mean sea level on December 4, 1908"

Now if you were buying a home in Rouses Point would you just say it will never flood over 102 here, I'm fine?.

You wouldn't be so lucky this year. 


So if your settling into a new area. with the crazy weather we have had, it is all the more important to look into the potential hazards yourself.  Do your own research rather than rely on others.  It may save you alot of money in the future.