The householders guide to handling an unannounced flood
The householders guide to handling an unannounced flood
Areas which are not vulnerable to flooding can at times be impacted by the adverse effects of strong storms and high winds. 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. These change in conditions require everyone to make arrangements for any disaster, especially flooding.
Being a natural calamity flooding is highly unpredictable but there are many options to prevent your homes from getting damaged by a flood.
Make provisions that restrict water from entering the house.
If you know that your locality is prone to floods and that a storm is on its way, block off your doors, windows and vents with metal or plywood sheeting, or for stronger protection create a sandbag barrier. Silicone sealant will also help in preventing water from coming into your home. Although having a short lifetime these materials are very effective in preventing short duration floods and keeping things dry.
Switch off your electricity, water and gas lines to minimise short circuits, leakages and fire.
It is important to shut off the electricity, gas and even water supplies, as well as other utilities, at the mains supply. Electrical equipment must be unplugged and stored at height to prevent contact with water. Water that enters homes may rise to a height of several feet or more; the second floor will therefore remain dry, so that any objects stored there will not be affected.
You need to take good care of your furniture and other appliances.
Make sure that these appliances or furniture are moved upstairs, since you cannot afford to buy them again without a large insurance claim.
If space or storage does not permit, raise all these goods onto stacks of bricks, clear off the ground. Your curtains and carpets should be removed immediately, you should even remove the internal doors in your home.
If you want to give protection from water to any of your possessions, all these should be stored in raised places.
Important papers, pictures and other personal items should also be placed on higher grounds, particularly on the second floor of your house. These valuables are best stored in airtight containers like food tins. If you do not have these, keep important papers from contact with floodwater by storing them in plastic bags that can be sealed.
Now focusing on objects external to your hose like garden furniture, keep them in a secure place. Items floating in floodwater can be dangerous for others. Any possessions that may be washed out by the storm must be kept in a lockable area like a garage. 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.
Listen carefully for flood warnings, there some steps you need to take on hearing such an announcement.
Keep you ears and eyes open for any sort of information.
Thus, you need to always listen to the radio for announcements and updates. Be sure to cooperate fully with local authorities and emergency services. They may need you to move out of the house, which you must do quickly to avoid aggravating the risk to you and the emergency services.
Power lines are invariably cut off during floods, so your activities must be confined to the daytime. Doing things in the dark is not only tough but also dangerous. Keeping batteries and torches in places you will remember is a handy tip for coping with an emergency.
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. Do not attempt to leave it, as floodwater can be lethal, particularly when raging. Remember that two feet of water level causes floating of your cars, while six inches of water is enough to drown a child.
Cars and pets should be kept at a safe place. As soon as you hear the flood warning announced move to the second floor. Various objects might float in the floodwater so avoid swimming as it could be dangerous. You can get hurt by these objects or you might even be swept away.
Floodwater is dirty due to the presence of sewage and any contact with it should be possibly avoided. It would be a pitty to survive the flood but get sick due to exposure to contaminated water. 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. You might have heard of many incidences of floodwater having destroyed and collapsed defenses and bridges , so don’t make yourself a victim.