How to protect your home when a flood hits
How to protect your home when a flood hits
Floods can be caused by high winds and heavy storms, even in areas that are not accustomed to witness such events. 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. Such an eventuality like flooding requires that everyone be ready well in advance at anytime.
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 severe rains or storms are expected to reach your area, cover your doors and windows with wood, sheets of metal, or sandbags, particularly if you reside in an area that is prone to flooding. A silicone sealant is a good water-proofing material that will keep your house free from water logs. However such measures last only for a short period of time, but they definitely help you to prevent your possessions from getting wet.
All your utilities should be totally switched off during floods.
The main supply for water, electricity and gas should be shut down at once. Additionally, having unplugged all electrical appliances you should store them in elevated places; if possible, on the second floor. Storage on the second floor ensures that items can remain dry and far from the influence of water, as in most cases the water level will not reach the level of the upstairs floors inside homes.
It is important to be mindful of furniture and appliances.
It is essential to safeguard your precious furniture and appliances by storing them upstairs or on elevated areas downstairs.
Suppose there is no second floor, just keep those items at a higher level like on some bricks. Your curtains and carpets should be removed immediately, you should even remove the internal doors in your home.
They all should be kept at a higher level, so that they remain dry and away from water.
All personal documents, papers and such items must be sealed properly and stored in a dry place upstairs. To ensure total safety, you can put them up in waterproof containers like the ones 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.
Now focusing on objects external to your hose like garden furniture, keep them in a secure place. It can be dangerous for others if these articles get caught in floodwater easily. Any possessions that may be washed out by the storm must be kept in a lockable area like a garage. A seemingly heavy object like a wheelbarrow can be flung about and carried away by the flood, but it will be safe if stored inside your garage.
Soon after the announcement of a potential flood, make sure to follow some important rules.
During such times, information plays a vital role to the decisions you need to make.
Keep yourself glued to your radio sets so that you do not miss out on any important announcements. Offer your full support and cooperation to the local authorities and other emergency services. If they require you to evacuate, follow them and do not delay as you will put yourself and your helpers at risk.
As electricity if often unavailable in such cases plan to complete all preparatory work during day. It is much more difficult and unsafe to do things in the dark. Torch batteries must be kept handy and in known places ready for an emergency.
Help you neighbors, especially senior citizens to prepare for such situations by sharing authentic information with them.
Until the time to move stay in your house safely. This is to ensure your safety as the flood water could be dangerous. You must be aware of the fact that rapidly flowing water above six inches can easily carry off an adult while above two feet can float away your car.
Ensure that your pets and cars are in a safe location. When a flood announcement is made, you must move upstairs to the highest floor of your house. Since many objects may float in the raging floodwater, do not try to swim across to safety or a higher location. If you risk this you may be knocked over by the floating objects.
Besides, floodwater may be filthy and polluted with sewage, try to prevent any contact to avoid future infection. Getting infected due to the befouled water could be tragic whenh you have been saved from drowning. The frontlines of waterbodies, such as bridges, riverbanks and sea barriers are the most risky places in a flood, so just stay away from such locations. Many instances can be sighted leading to the destruction of bridges and defenses due to the alarming effect of floods.