The things you should do to make ready for that flood
The things you should do to make ready for that flood
Heavy storms and winds frequently lead to flooding, and these events can occur in areas that have not previously been impacted for many years. With the extreme weather conditions that we are facing today previously unflooded areas can receive a months worth of rainfall in one day. These change in conditions require everyone to make arrangements for any disaster, especially flooding.
Although one cannot avoid natural disasters, you can surely protect your home from flash floods by following a few safety measures.
The first and foremost step is that you must stop water from coming into 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. Silicone sealant is another thing that you can use during floods, to make sure that water doesn’t seep in into your home. Steps like these will keep your household dry and safe through brief floods, though heavier sustained storms need better defences.
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. 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.
Stay alert when it comes to your appliances or furniture.
Before the flood hits, move all your valuable goods and fixtures to the first or second floor, or at least onto the highest shelves.
If you do not have a second floor as you live in a bungalow, you can just raise such items on blocks or bricks. Ensure removal of all curtains, carpets and internal doors as well.
To keep them from away from floodwater, store all of these in elevated places.
The higher areas like the second floors are the best places to accumulate essential papers, images and other personal articles which are difficult to replace. Put these items in containers that are impervious to water, such as those used for storing food. If the above is not possible, you can just seal these papers into plastic refuse bags to be shielded from water.
Make sure that all objects outside your house, such as rakes, are kept in a safe place. Floodwater can easily float these items, which can pose danger to others. Also put more valuable items that could float away into a locked building such as you garage. For instance, floodwater can even float away a wheelbarrow if kept in the open, but if it is locked into a garage, the possibility is very low.
Soon after the announcement of a potential flood, make sure to follow some important rules.
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. Co-operation from your family with the local authorities and emergency services is essential. In case, they want you to vacate, just follow their instructions and your evacuation as quick as possible, since you are endangering your life as well as those of the helpers until you are safe.
All of your immediate tasks should be performed during the day, as it is very likely that electricity will become unavailable. When it is dark, it is not easy or safe to carry out these tasks. For emergency purposes, ensure that you load your torches with fresh batteries and also have a spare on hand.
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. This is to ensure your safety as the flood water could be dangerous. Fast paced water that is about six inches high can easily off-balance you while two feet is enough depth to float a car.
Keep your pets and automobiles in secure areas. Climb up and stay on the second floor of your house if a flood warning has been issued in your area. Avoid swimming as fdangerous loating objects may be present in the water. These objects can hurt or trap you and you could be washed away.
Avoid contact with floodwater, as it may be unclean or have become contaminated by contact with sewage waste. Getting infected due to the befouled water could be tragic whenh you have been saved from drowning. River bridges, sea defenses, and riverbanks are very dangerous places to be in during floods, so be sure to steer away from them if possible. The defenses and bridges have often collapsed in the past due to the floodwater.