Forensic Flood Damage Investigations

Flooding can cause significant damage to property and infrastructure, from sea storm surge, river overflow, drainage failure, groundwater rise and blocked waterways. We undertake detailed forensic investigations to determine the causes, mechanisms and consequences of flood events such as:

• Stormwater flooding from intense rainfall or overwhelmed drainage systems.
• River scour or overflow impacting adjacent structures.
• Groundwater rise and seepage into basement spaces.

We apply a structured approach to each flooding incident based on a process of:

• Site Inspection & Documentation: Finding and recording the indicators of floodwater behaviour, using our experience combined with photography, thermography, hygrometry and moisture mapping.
• Records & Data Review: Finding and analysing historical data such as weather records, river flowrate data, site drainage plans, survey reports and maintenance records, to understand the conditions and contributory factors.
• Technical Analysis: Determining how the water interacted with the structure and its materials, and if future effects can be expected.
• Causal Analysis: Differentiating between immediate causes and root causes, such as the effects of design deficiencies, maintenance lapses and gradual deterioration.
• Explaining: Compiling complex details into  clear, evidence-based technical reports with robust conclusions.