The householders guide to tackling a flood before it arrives
The householders guide to tackling a flood before it arrives
Areas which are not vulnerable to flooding can at times be impacted by the adverse effects of strong storms and high winds. Weather conditions have become extreme and regions that were once deprived of water can now encounter heavy rainfall in a single day. These change in conditions require everyone to make arrangements for any disaster, especially flooding.
Although such “acts of God” can occur at any point, you can use a number of preventative measures to help to protect your home against flash floods.
Prevent water from entering your home.
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. Long-term effects are not guaranteed by these methods, however these measures will protect your property from damage due to flash floods and keep them dry for a while.
All your utilities should be totally switched off during floods.
Always keep in mind to switch off the essential utilities like gas, water and electricity at the mains switches and valves. All electrical equipment must be unplugged and stored at the highest floor level to avoid flood damage. The level of water entering the house can escalate to a few feet yet storing things at height in the home can prevent them from getting damaged.
It is important to be mindful of furniture and appliances.
Valuable appliances and furniture should be kept in elevated areas or upstairs.
If your house is a bungalow and therefore lacks a second floor, use blocks or bricks to elevate these items. Removing carpets, curtains and internal doors is recommended.
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. Use water proof containers like those used for food storage for storing important things. If the above is not possible, you can just seal these papers into plastic refuse bags to be shielded from water.
Items usually kept outside the house, such as gardening implements, should be removed to a safe location. It can be dangerous for others if these articles get caught in floodwater easily. Use a building that can be secured, such as a garage, to store items of value that might be carried 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.
In circumstance such as these, information is of vital importance.
Hence, keep a watch over the news for announcements or updates by listening to the radio or television. Extend your full cooperation to emergency services and local authorities. If they require you to evacuate, follow them and do not delay as you will put yourself and your helpers at risk.
Try to finish up your work during the daytime as electricity is usually not available in such conditions. It is dangerous and troublesome to move around in darkness. Also get batteries for your torches and know where they are.
Ensure that you share any information with your neighbours, particularly the elderly, so that they can properly prepare.
Until the time to move stay in your house safely. Do not attempt to leave it, as floodwater can be lethal, particularly when raging. Take notice of that fact that your car can float in two feet of water whereas six inches of rapidly flowing water is sufficient to make you fall.
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. Various objects might float in the floodwater so avoid swimming as it could be dangerous. These objects could knock you over or cause you to be carried away by the floodwater.
You can also catch certain infectious diseases if you try to swim as the flood water is highly contaminated. It would indeed be a pity to survive a serious event such as a flood, only to fall ill from contact with polluted water. Where possible, steer clear of riverbanks, bridges over rivers and sea defenses during floods, as they are extremely hazardous places to be. The defenses and bridges have often collapsed in the past due to the floodwater.