The steps you should do to get ready for that flood
The steps you should do to get ready for that flood
Flooding is often the result of high winds and powerful storms, even in areas not prone to such occurrences. Weather conditions have become extreme and regions that were once deprived of water can now encounter heavy rainfall in a single day. As a result everybody should be prepared for anything, particularly flooding.
You may not receive fair warning of a flash flood, but you can certainly take preventive steps to protect your house from drastic damage.
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 applied to the joints of shutters and glazing is effective in preventing water seepage. These measures will not last for days but they may hold back a short lasting flood and keep your possessions dry.
All your utilities should be totally switched off during floods.
It is always important to shut down the mains utilities like gas, power, water etc. All electrical equipment must be unplugged and stored at the highest floor level to avoid flood damage. This is so because the water that enters your home might climb several feet but if the appliances are kept at a height they would remain safe even in such a condition.
Take special care of the appliances and furniture.
It is essential to safeguard your precious furniture and appliances by storing them upstairs or on elevated areas downstairs.
If your house is a bungalow and therefore lacks a second floor, use blocks or bricks to elevate these items. Your curtains and carpets should be removed immediately, you should even remove the internal doors in your home.
Store them all in high places to ensure that they are protected from water.
The second floor of the house can be used for putting down all the important papers and pictures. Also store them in waterproof containers such as food storage containers. 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. Floodwater can easily float these items, which can pose danger to others. Besides, keep all your important items in a locked room or building (a garage) to prevent them from floating away. Even a wheelbarrow could float away if left outside whereas it will not move if kept in a garage and will not be harmed by the flood water.
Once you have received a flood warning, there are several important tasks you must carry out immediately.
Keep you ears and eyes open for any sort of information.
Be attentive to all radio announcements and flood updates given by local services. Your co-operation with the local authorities and service providers is must in the hour of need. The authorities might ask you to evacuate, in such a case you should follow their orders immediately as it is for your own good only.
Try to finish up your work during the daytime as electricity is usually not available in such conditions. It is much more difficult and unsafe to do things in the dark. Acquire appropriate batteries for your torches and know their location in the house.
Help you neighbors, especially senior citizens to prepare for such situations by sharing authentic information with them.
Try to spend as much time as possible in the house rather than exposing yourself to risk outside. Violent flood waters can cause fatalities, hence it is imperative that you stay inside the house. Fast paced water that is about six inches high can easily off-balance you while two feet is enough depth to float a car.
If you have any pets or cars, make sure to keep them in a safe place. As soon as you hear the flood warning announced move to the second floor. Do not attempt to swim through a flood when it is raging, as there may be items suspended in the water. You can either be swept away or be knocked over by objects that are in the water.
Besides, floodwater may be filthy and polluted with sewage, try to prevent any contact to avoid future infection. It would be a shame that you survived the flooding, but fell ill because of contaminated water. The most dangerous places that must be avoided during floods are sea defenses, river bridges and riverbanks, hence keep away from such dangerous areas. The defenses and bridges have often collapsed in the past due to the floodwater.