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From catastrophic earthquakes, wildfires, biblical-like flooding, the hottest recorded summer temperatures to the snowiest winters, extreme weather and natural disasters are often one of the top stories on the evening news. However, one of the most common trends seen is unpreparedness on the affected public’s behalf.

According to CNN, there are as many as 700 water main breaks in the U.S. on a daily basis. The cause of these breaks is due to an aging water delivery infrastructure where up to 30 percent of water pipes are 40 to 80 years old. Many of the aging water lines lie beneath homes and businesses, and their ruptures result in massive property loss and public health threats.

FEMA states that winter flooding is particularly dangerous in the states of Arizona, California and Nevada because of the recent wildfires and the rainy season that follows. Although flooding can happen during any time of the year, homeowners should know their risk in relation to severe weather, including flooding, that can occur during cold weather months.

In the United States, floods are one of the most common and deadliest natural disasters. While some natural disasters occur more in certain regions of the country, such as earthquakes in the areas surrounding a fault line, floods can occur anywhere rain falls and can impact large areas of land. Because the weather cannot be controlled, there are only a few ways humans can prevent flooding. However, knowledge and preparation for a flood can help all homeowners stay safe and limit the amount of damage to personal property.

Sometimes it seems as if some U.S. cities cannot get a break from the forces of Mother Nature. This is the case with Laguna Beach, California. Over the last several years, the town known for its beaches and glamorous residents has experienced landslides, floods and fires.