The impact of flooding can be shortened with this coordinated program
The impact of flooding can be shortened with this coordinated program
Areas which are not vulnerable to flooding can at times be impacted by the adverse effects of strong storms and high winds. Since we seem to experience extreme weather conditions recently, those areas which were unflooded formerly could get a months worth of rainfall in a single day. This has led to a situation where every individual must be ready to face household emergencies, especially flooding.
Although one cannot avoid natural disasters, you can surely protect your home from flash floods by following a few safety measures.
Make sure the water does not break in your house.
If you stay in an area which is prone to flooding, make sure that you cover up your windows and doors using sandbags, plywood or metal sheets. Silicone sealant applied to the joints of shutters and glazing is effective in preventing water seepage. Although having a short lifetime these materials are very effective in preventing short duration floods and keeping things dry.
You must shut off all your utilities.
These utilities have to be shut down at the mains, not just for appliances. You should also remember to unplug all your electrical appliances and store them at high places, on the second floor, if possible. 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.
Stay alert when it comes to your appliances or 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 removal of all curtains, carpets and internal doors as well.
When all these goods are stored at high locations, they stand a much better chance of weathering the incoming water.
All your office items like papers, pictures in addition to personal items must be stored on the second floor safely. If possible, put them into a waterproof container, maybe a food storage container. 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. They should be kept safely because they can float easily in floodwater and this can cause various other problems. Use a building that can be secured, such as a garage, to store items of value that might be carried away. A large item such as a wheelbarrow might be carried away if left where the waters can access it; if placed in a secure building, it will not be moved and the floodwater will not damage it.
FThe following are the steps to be followed in case a flood warning is announced.
The information provided is of great importance in such crises.
Keep yourself glued to your radio sets so that you do not miss out on any important announcements. Extend your full cooperation to emergency services and local authorities. If asked to evacuate comply immediately as delays can increase risk for you and the helpers who are trying to assist you.
Power lines are invariably cut off during floods, so your activities must be confined to the daytime. It is much more difficult and unsafe to do things in the dark. Keeping batteries and torches in places you will remember is a handy tip for coping with an emergency.
Share the information with your neighbors, particularly the old people, so that they can also prepare themselves.
Secure yourself inside your house and do not go out. Any attempt to leave your house can prove deadly, especially when it is raging during floods. Be aware that when water is flowing rapidly, a small depth of water can cause you to fall over; only two feet is required to float your car.
Cars and pets should be kept at a safe place. 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. There maybe objects floating in the water, so do not attempt to swim through raging flood. These objects could knock you over or cause you to be carried away by the floodwater.
Avoid contact with floodwater if possible, as it could be polluted with dirt and sewage. It would be a shame that you survived the flooding, but fell ill because of contaminated water. 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.