Hanahan sits low and flat between the rivers, and water from a heavy rain has very little natural fall to carry it away.
Flat ground drains slowly
Without much slope, storm water pools in gardens, sits against foundations and works its way into crawl spaces. It is less dramatic than coastal flooding but it does steady damage over the years, and it is the reason so many homes here have a musty smell underneath.
Crawl spaces are the priority
Basements are rare here, so this is about keeping standing water away from floor framing, ductwork and insulation. If you have been putting a musty smell down to the air conditioning, damp under the house is very often the actual source.
Pumps fail during the storm, not before
Usually a float switch stuck after months sitting idle, a valve letting water run back into the pit, or no battery backup when the power goes out. Heavy rain and power cuts arrive together here, so a pump with no backup is off exactly when you need it.
Two minutes to test yours
Pour a bucket of water into the pit and check the pump starts, clears it and stops cleanly. If it hums without pumping or runs constantly, it needs attention now rather than in September.