The householders guidebook to managing an out of the blue flood
The householders guidebook to managing an out of the blue flood
Heavy rains and stormy winds can often flood your locality, sometimes in unprecedented ways. 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.
Whilst these acts of god can strike at anytime there are a number of things you can do to try to safeguard your home from flash floods.
Take measures to keep water out of your house.
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 will also help in preventing water from coming into your home. Although having a short lifetime these materials are very effective in preventing short duration floods and keeping things dry.
Switch off your electricity, water and gas lines to minimise short circuits, leakages and fire.
It is important to shut off the electricity, gas and even water supplies, as well as other utilities, at the mains supply. Electrical equipment must be unplugged and stored at height to prevent contact with water. This will ensure that if water does come into the house even a few feet deep, your goods will remain safe and dry.
Stay alert when it comes to your appliances or furniture.
Make sure that these appliances or furniture are moved upstairs, since you cannot afford to buy them again without a large insurance claim.
If your house is a bungalow and therefore lacks a second floor, use blocks or bricks to elevate these items. Fold up carpets and curtains and store them away, you could even detach internal doors and keep them upstairs!.
They all should be kept at a higher level, so that they remain dry and away from water.
Important papers, pictures and other personal items should also be placed on higher grounds, particularly on the second floor of your house. Use water proof containers like those used for food storage for storing important things. If not, you should put important papers in sealed plastic bags to ensure that they are protected from water.
Make sure that all objects outside your house, such as rakes, are kept in a safe place. The rising flood waters can lift such unsecured objects and cause harm to others. Use your garage, a locked building, as the most suitable place to store precious garden articles which are prone to damage. 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.
Certain things are to be kept in mind if there is a flood warning in your area.
During such times, information plays a vital role to the decisions you need to make.
Be attentive to all radio announcements and flood updates given by local services. Your co-operation with the local authorities and service providers is must in the hour of need. If asked to evacuate comply immediately as delays can increase risk for you and the helpers who are trying to assist you.
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. 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.
It is advisable to remain in your home. Any attempt to leave your house can prove deadly, especially when it is raging during floods. It is important to note that rapid flowing water that is six inches high could make you fall, while two feet of water could make your car float.
Make sure to find some safe place for your pets and your familys cars. It is best to stay on the second floor of your house once you receive a flood warning. Do not attempt to swim through a flood when it is raging, as there may be items suspended in the water. If you risk this you may be knocked over by the floating objects.
Avoid contact with floodwater, as it may be unclean or have become contaminated by contact with sewage waste. It really will be a terrible situation if you survive the flood and later fell ill owing 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. Cases of floodwater demolishing or bringing down bridges and defenses are frequently recorded.