The impact of flooding can be cut with this coordinated plan
The impact of flooding can be cut with this coordinated plan
Areas which are not vulnerable to flooding can at times be impacted by the adverse effects of strong storms and high winds. Since we seem to experience extreme weather conditions recently, those areas which were unflooded formerly could get a months worth of rainfall in a single day. As a result everybody should be prepared for anything, particularly flooding.
Although one cannot avoid natural disasters, you can surely protect your home from flash floods by following a few safety measures.
Make sure the water does not break in your house.
If you stay in an area which is prone to flooding, make sure that you cover up your windows and doors using sandbags, plywood or metal sheets. Silicone sealant applied to the joints of shutters and glazing is effective in preventing water seepage. 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.
Switch off any external services.
The main supply for water, electricity and gas should be shut down at once. All electrical equipment must be unplugged and stored at the highest floor level to avoid flood damage. 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.
It is important to be mindful of furniture and appliances.
Before the flood hits, move all your valuable goods and fixtures to the first or second floor, or at least onto the highest shelves.
For those who live in houses without upper floors like a bungalow, it is better to store the valuables 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.
Use higher grounds, particularly your house’s second floor, to store personal items such as important papers and pictures. Also store them in waterproof containers such as food storage containers. At the least, place them in sealed plastic bags to keep them dry.
Rakes and other objects, that lie outside your house must be placed in secure places. They should be kept safely because they can float easily in floodwater and this can cause various other problems. Use a building that can be secured, such as a garage, to store items of value that might be carried away. A large item such as a wheelbarrow might be carried away if left where the waters can access it; if placed in a secure building, it will not be moved and the floodwater will not damage it.
If a flood warning is issued here are important things you need to do once you a flood warning has been issued.
In circumstance such as these, information is of vital importance.
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. 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.
Try to finish up your work during the daytime as electricity is usually not available in such conditions. It will be tough and unsafe if you perform these things in the dark. Keep extra batteries for your torches ready, these will come in very handy.
Alert your older neighbours to any new warnings, so they can get ready for the floods.
Be sure to stay inside your house. Do not attempt to leave it, as floodwater can be lethal, particularly when raging. You must be aware of the fact that rapidly flowing water above six inches can easily carry off an adult while above two feet can float away your car.
Ensure that your pets and cars are in a safe location. As soon as you hear the flood warning announced move to the second floor. Avoid swimming as fdangerous loating objects may be present in the water. There are chances of getting swept away or collisions with objects present in the water.
Leaking sewage invariably finds its way into floodwater, so stay away from the water as much as you can. Just imagine making it through the flood, and then falling sick because of contamination!. Where possible, steer clear of riverbanks, bridges over rivers and sea defenses during floods, as they are extremely hazardous places to be. Cases of floodwater demolishing or bringing down bridges and defenses are frequently recorded.