The things you should do to get ready for that flood
The things you should do to get ready for that flood
Areas which are not vulnerable to flooding can at times be impacted by the adverse effects of strong storms and high winds. Less prone areas which were not previously flooded are now facing extreme atmospheric conditions sometimes leading to rainfall of one month in one day. Therefore, it is important that everyone knows how to react to an event such as a flood.
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 already aware of an expected storm or heavy downpour in your area, or if your house is located in a flood-prone area, you must act immediately, protecting your doors and windows using plywood and metal sheets and shielding them using sandbags. It is beneficial to use silicone sealant as it prevents water from entering your house. Though these measures do not help over an elongated period, they may be beneficial in the short-run to protect from a flood and keep your home dry.
All your utilities should be totally switched off during floods.
Make a point to turn off all utilities and services including gas, electricity and water. Electrical equipment must be unplugged and stored at height to prevent contact with water. The water may enter into your home in spite of you being very careful, and although the water level normally increases some feet this may not be up to up to the second floor of your house so that it is dry and any items left there will be intact.
Take special care of the appliances and furniture.
Valuable appliances and furniture should be kept in elevated areas or upstairs.
If space or storage does not permit, raise all these goods onto stacks of bricks, clear off the ground. Removing carpets, curtains and internal doors is recommended.
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. To ensure total safety, you can put them up in waterproof containers like the ones used for storing food. At the least, place them in sealed plastic bags to keep them dry.
Make sure that all objects outside your house, such as rakes, are kept in a safe place. If not, these items will be floating on the flood water, which may pose a threat to others. Also put more valuable items that could float away into a locked building such as you garage. 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.
FThe following are the steps to be followed in case a flood warning is announced.
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. Be supportive of the emergency crews and local authorities, give them all your cooperation. 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.
Do not delay doing important work during the day as at night you cannot guarantee the availability of power. It will be tough and unsafe if you perform these things in the dark. Also get batteries for your torches and know where they are.
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.
Until the time to move stay in your house safely. Floodwater can kill, especially when it is raging, so do not attempt to go out. 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 household pets should be removed to a place where they will be out of danger. 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. It could either sweep you along with the water-current or hurt you by crashing into the objects in the water.
Avoid contact with floodwater if possible, as it could be polluted with dirt and sewage. It would be a pitty to survive the flood but get sick due to exposure to contaminated water. The most dangerous areas during floods have been river bridges, sea defenses, and riverbanks, so it is always better to stay away from these during such situations. Many instances can be sighted leading to the destruction of bridges and defenses due to the alarming effect of floods.