Keep your important items dry in a flood
Keep your important items dry in a flood
Floods can be caused by high winds and heavy storms, even in areas that are not accustomed to witness such events. The weather conditions have undergone a drastic change so much so that areas which used to remain unflooded are now experiencing huge rainfall. Therefore, it is important that everyone knows how to react to an event such as a flood.
Owing to the uncertain occurrence of these acts of God, you must undertake a number of measures to prevent your house from being affected with flash floods.
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. You can also use silicone sealant to ensure that water will not enter your home. Although having a short lifetime these materials are very effective in preventing short duration floods and keeping things dry.
Take care to ensure that your utilities are turned off.
It is always important to shut down the mains utilities like gas, power, water etc. Electrical devices should be unplugged and kept away from water, preferably at a higher level. Storage on the second floor ensures that items can remain dry and far from the influence of water, as in most cases the water level will not reach the level of the upstairs floors inside homes.
It is important to be mindful of furniture and appliances.
They should be kept at a height so as to prevent them from getting soaked in water.
For those who live in houses without upper floors like a bungalow, it is better to store the valuables on blocks or bricks. Be sure to remove carpets, curtains and even internal doors.
Store them all in high places to ensure that they are protected from water.
Photos, documents and personal things that are important and cannot be replaced must be placed at height or on the second floor if available. If possible, put them into a waterproof container, maybe a food storage container. Otherwise, to make sure the important papers are safe against water, place them in sealed plastic bags.
Find a safe place for all external items like rakes. Items floating in floodwater can be dangerous for others. Also put more valuable items that could float away into a locked building such as you garage. A heavy item like wheelbarrow can be very easily float if kept in the open but can be prevented from floating and damaged by floodwater if stored in the garage.
Follow these important steps in case a flood warning is issued.
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. 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.
Since electricity will almost certainly be unavailable, you must ensure that you do all the things you need to do during the day. Doing work in darkness becomes tedious and unsafe. 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.
Until the time to move stay in your house safely. Floodwater in its most fast flowing form can take lives and one should avoid moving outside if at all possible. Remember that even six inches of rapid currents can cause you to fall and even two feet of water can lift a car!.
Be sure to safeguard your pets and cars in secure places. It is best to stay on the second floor of your house once you receive a flood warning. There maybe objects floating in the water, so do not attempt to swim through raging flood. These objects can hurt or trap you and you could be washed away.
Floodwater may be dirty and contaminated with sewage, so you should avoid contact if possible. It would be a pitty to survive the flood but get sick due to exposure to contaminated water. Riverbanks, sea defenses and river bridges are the most dangerous places during floods, so avoid going near them. Cases of floodwater demolishing or bringing down bridges and defenses are frequently recorded.