When Storm Surge Meets Your Cesspool: Essential Hurricane Preparedness for Mastic Beach Properties
As hurricane season approaches, coastal communities like Mastic Beach face unique challenges that extend far beyond securing windows and stocking emergency supplies. During Superstorm Sandy, many on-site septic systems were flooded by the storm surge and rising groundwater, which allowed untreated wastewater to enter groundwater and surface waters, causing public health and water quality hazards. For the thousands of Long Island residents who rely on cesspools and septic systems, understanding how to protect these critical waste management systems from hurricane damage is essential for both property protection and public health.
Understanding the Hurricane Threat to Cesspool Systems
Hurricanes are dangerous and can cause major damage from storm surge, wind damage, rip currents and flooding. While many homeowners focus on protecting their homes from wind damage, the real threat to cesspool systems comes from flooding and storm surge. Storm surge can travel several miles inland and can cause extreme flooding in coastal areas, particularly when storm surge coincides with normal high tide, resulting in storm tides reaching up to 20 feet or more in some cases.
Flooding from hurricanes and other storms leaves the soil around septic systems waterlogged and saturated. Both situations (flooding and rising groundwater levels) reduce the capacity of the drainfield to adequately treat septic system wastes and remove harmful pollutants. This creates a dangerous cycle where contaminated water can back up into homes while simultaneously polluting groundwater and surface waters.
Pre-Storm Preparation: Protecting Your System Before the Hurricane Hits
Proper preparation is your first line of defense against hurricane damage to your cesspool system. To prepare your septic system before an emergency such as a flood, hurricane, or earthquake: Seal the manhole and/or inspection ports to keep excess water out of the septic tank · Be sure your septic tank is at least half full to prevent it from collapsing or floating out of position during flooding.
Turn off the pump at the circuit box before the area floods. Waterproof all electrical connections to avoid electrical shock or damage to wiring, pumps, and the electrical system. This is particularly important for properties with advanced treatment systems or pump chambers that rely on electrical components.
Additional preparation steps include ensuring all inspection caps are securely in place and considering the installation of backflow preventers to stop sewage from backing up into your home during flooding events.
During the Storm: Critical Actions to Minimize Damage
When hurricane conditions arrive, your actions can significantly impact the extent of damage to your cesspool system. During an emergency such as a flood, hurricane, or earthquake, reduce the amount of water used by limiting toilet flushing, dishwashing, washing clothes, and showering. Reduce water use in your home so you relieve some of the pressure on your septic system. By reducing the amount of water you use during a flood situation, you can reduce the amount of waste that needs to be treated in your septic system.
Whenever the water table is high or your sewage system is threatened by flooding there is a risk that sewage will back up into your home. The only way to prevent this backup is to relieve pressure on the system by using it less. This means avoiding unnecessary water usage and being prepared to temporarily halt all non-essential water activities.
Post-Storm Recovery: Safe Assessment and Professional Service
Once the storm passes, resist the urge to immediately assess your cesspool system yourself. Property owners whose septic system has been flooded should be concerned first for immediate safety hazards such as the increased risk of a dangerous collapse of a site-built septic tank, drywell, or cesspool. Someone walking over a weakened septic tank cover or cesspool or drywell could fall in – a possible fatal event.
Do not use the sewage system until water in the soil absorption field is lower than the water level around the house. Have your septic tank professionally inspected and serviced if you suspect damage. Professional assessment is crucial because septic tanks and pump chambers can fill with silt and debris, and must be professionally cleaned. If the soil absorption field is clogged with silt, a new system may have to be installed.
The Importance of Professional Cesspool Services
When dealing with hurricane-related cesspool damage, working with experienced professionals is not just recommended—it’s essential for safety and effective restoration. For Mastic Beach residents, having access to reliable cesspool services mastic beach providers can make the difference between a quick recovery and extended problems.
AAA Dependable cesspool is a local, full service, professional Sewer and Drain Cleaning Company, and the premier Suffolk County, NY cesspool service. Family Owned & Operated Servicing Long Island Area 22 Plus Years Of Client Satisfaction 24 Hour Emergency Service companies like AAA Dependable understand the unique challenges that coastal properties face during hurricane season.
Only trained specialists should clean or repair septic tanks because tanks may contain dangerous gases. Professional services can safely pump systems, inspect for damage, and make necessary repairs while ensuring compliance with local health department regulations.
Long-Term Considerations for Coastal Properties
Living in a coastal area like Mastic Beach means accepting that hurricane preparedness for your cesspool system should be an ongoing concern, not just a seasonal one. More than 70 percent of Suffolk County’s 1.5 million residents rely on cesspools and septic systems that are not designed to actively treat wastewater. The impact of untreated wastewater has contributed to harmful algal blooms and has reduced by one-third the wetlands which form Long Island’s second line of defense against potential storms and natural disasters, leaving coastal communities more vulnerable to storm surge.
Regular maintenance becomes even more critical for properties in flood-prone areas. A well-maintained septic system is better able to withstand the stresses of heavy rains or flooding. Have your septic system inspected annually to look for signs that the system is clogged or not emptying properly.
Preparing for the Inevitable
Hurricane preparedness for cesspool systems in Mastic Beach requires a combination of advance planning, appropriate emergency actions, and professional post-storm assessment. “Being prepared for a hurricane or disaster event helps alleviate uncertainty and can ease the psychological stress that comes with disasters,” and this extends to protecting your property’s waste management infrastructure.
By taking proactive steps to prepare your cesspool system before hurricane season, understanding what actions to take during a storm, and knowing when to call for professional help afterward, you can minimize both the immediate dangers and long-term consequences of hurricane damage. Remember that protecting your cesspool system isn’t just about avoiding inconvenience—it’s about safeguarding public health, protecting the environment, and preserving your property’s value in one of Long Island’s most beautiful coastal communities.