The average persons guidebook to tackling a flood before it comes
The average persons guidebook to tackling a flood before it comes
Heavy storms and winds frequently lead to flooding, and these events can occur in areas that have not previously been impacted for many years. A whole month’s quota of rain can fall in a single day in areas that have never witnessed floods, owing to the rapidly changing weather of today. Due to this extreme and unpredictable weather conditions, one should be prepared for any natural emergency or disaster such as floods.
Although one cannot avoid natural disasters, you can surely protect your home from flash floods by following a few safety measures.
Take measures to keep water out of your house.
If you are expecting heavy rains or storms to hit your area, particularly if you live in a flood-prone area, you should cover your doors, or even windows, with metal sheets, sandbags, or plywood. You can also prevent water from entering your home by using a silicone sealant. Long-term effects are not guaranteed by these methods, however these measures will protect your property from damage due to flash floods and keep them dry for a while.
Take care to ensure that your utilities are turned off.
Make a point to turn off all utilities and services including gas, electricity and water. Electrical equipment must be unplugged and stored at height to prevent contact with water. The level of water entering the house can escalate to a few feet yet storing things at height in the home can prevent them from getting damaged.
It is important to be mindful of furniture and appliances.
Before the flood hits, move all your valuable goods and fixtures to the first or second floor, or at least onto the highest shelves.
If a second floor is not available, as in case of a bungalow, raise items by arranging them on blocks or bricks. It is advisable to ensure that curtains, carpets, and doors within the house are taken out.
Store them all in high places to ensure that they are protected from water.
The higher areas like the second floors are the best places to accumulate essential papers, images and other personal articles which are difficult to replace. Put these items in containers that are impervious to water, such as those used for storing food. If the above is not possible, you can just seal these papers into plastic refuse bags to be shielded from water.
Make sure that all objects outside your house, such as rakes, are kept in a safe place. Floodwater can easily float these items, which can pose danger to others. Use your garage, a locked building, as the most suitable place to store precious garden articles which are prone to damage. A heavy item like wheelbarrow can be very easily float if kept in the open but can be prevented from floating and damaged by floodwater if stored in the garage.
Follow these important steps in case a flood warning is issued.
The information provided is of great importance in such crises.
Hence, keep a watch over the news for announcements or updates by listening to the radio or television. Offer your full support and cooperation to the local authorities and other emergency services. In case, they want you to vacate, just follow their instructions and your evacuation as quick as possible, since you are endangering your life as well as those of the helpers until you are safe.
Since electricity will almost certainly be unavailable, you must ensure that you do all the things you need to do during the day. It is dangerous and troublesome to move around in darkness. Torch batteries must be kept handy and in known places ready for an emergency.
Pass the threat information to all your neighbors and senior citizens especially, to enable them to arrange protection for themselves.
Until the time to move stay in your house safely. Any attempt to leave your house can prove deadly, especially when it is raging during floods. It is important to note that rapid flowing water that is six inches high could make you fall, while two feet of water could make your car float.
Ensure that your pets and cars are in a safe location. It is best to stay on the second floor of your house once you receive a flood warning. Hazardous objects may be borne by the floodwaters, it is extremely dangerous to try and swim through such raging currents. These objects can hurt or trap you and you could be washed away.
Floodwater may be dirty and contaminated with sewage, so you should avoid contact if possible. Getting infected due to the befouled water could be tragic whenh you have been saved from drowning. Avoid visiting places like sea defenses, riverbanks and bridges in floods as these can be very risky areas. Cases of floodwater demolishing or bringing down bridges and defenses are frequently recorded.