The guidebook to shortening the affect of an unanticipated flood
The guidebook to shortening the affect of an unanticipated flood
Floods can be caused by high winds and heavy storms, even in areas that are not accustomed to witness such events. Less prone areas which were not previously flooded are now facing extreme atmospheric conditions sometimes leading to rainfall of one month in one day. 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.
First thing that you need to ensure is that water does not enter your home.
If you are living in a flood prone area, or anticipating severe rains and storms, covering the doors and windows with sandbags, plywood or metal sheets is highly recommended. Silicone sealant is another thing that you can use during floods, to make sure that water doesn’t seep in into your home. Though these measures do not help over an elongated period, they may be beneficial in the short-run to protect from a flood and keep your home dry.
You must shut off all your utilities.
It is important to shut off the electricity, gas and even water supplies, as well as other utilities, at the mains supply. Importantly, switching off the power running to appliances must not be forgotten. The water may enter into your home in spite of you being very careful, and although the water level normally increases some feet this may not be up to up to the second floor of your house so that it is dry and any items left there will be intact.
Take special care of the appliances and furniture.
Check that the high priced furniture and equipment are stored at height or on the upper floors.
If your house is a bungalow and therefore lacks a second floor, use blocks or bricks to elevate these items. Ensure that you have removed all interior decorative items like curtains, carpets and sometimes internal doors which may be damaged by flood waters.
Store these articles at height to save them from water which may enter.
All personal documents, papers and such items must be sealed properly and stored in a dry place upstairs. Put these items in containers that are impervious to water, such as those used for storing food. However in case you do not have these containers, you can always use plastic bags for the same purpose.
Find a safe place for all external items like rakes. The rising flood waters can lift such unsecured objects and cause harm to others. Besides, keep all your important items in a locked room or building (a garage) to prevent them from floating away. Floods do not spare even heavy items like wheelbarrows as they could float away in water if left carelessly, however, garden implements can be kept safe and away from flood water when kept in garage or shed.
Certain things are to be kept in mind if there is a flood warning in your area.
Correct information is vital in such circumstances.
Be attentive to all radio announcements and flood updates given by local services. 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 much more difficult and unsafe to do things in the dark. For emergency purposes, ensure that you load your torches with fresh batteries and also have a spare on hand.
When you get any such announcement, share it with your neighbors without fail, especially any older people, in order that they have enough time to get prepared.
Secure yourself inside your house and do not go out. Floodwaters are so powerful that they can kill while flowing strongly, therefore it is recommended that you stay inside. 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.
Keep your pets and automobiles in secure areas. When the flooding happens just staying inside your house is not enough, you must climb onto the second floor and stay there whilst the flood lasts. Do not attempt to swim through a flood when it is raging, as there may be items suspended in the water. There are chances of getting swept away or collisions with objects present in the water.
Besides, floodwater may be filthy and polluted with sewage, try to prevent any contact to avoid future infection. It would indeed be a pity to survive a serious event such as a flood, only to fall ill from contact with polluted water. The most dangerous areas during floods have been river bridges, sea defenses, and riverbanks, so it is always better to stay away from these during such situations. You might have heard of many incidences of floodwater having destroyed and collapsed defenses and bridges , so don’t make yourself a victim.