Floods are the most common and widespread of all natural hazards.To minimize the flood damage to your personal property and the disruption of your day to day life, there are certain precautions you can take. There are also some things to remember when returning home after a flood.
What to do Before a Flood:
Contact your local emergency management, civil defense or disaster preparedness office to learn local warning signals. Know who will issue the warnings, when, how, and under what circumstances they will be given and how you should respond.
Keep a stock of food that requires no refrigeration. Store drinking water in clean, closed containers. Electric power, gas, and water services may be disrupted. In the event that services may be disrupted fill your bathtub with water to ensure that you will have an uncontaminated supply.
Keep a portable, battery operated radio and flashlights in working order and stock extra batteries. Have first aid supplies and any medicines your family may need.
Shut off power to premises. If the main switch is in an area that is already wet, stand on a dry board and use a dry stick to turn off switch.
Disconnect all electrical appliances and, if possible, move them to a higher level.
Oil or water tanks will float if not full. Fill if possible, then plug vent holes. If unable to fill, weigh down with sandbags or wedge against a solid object.
Propane tanks will float whether full or empty so turn of valve, disconnect tubing and plug it. Tie a chain or cable around the tank and anchor it to prevent it from floating away.
During a Flood:
Do not drive into flooded areas. If flood waters rise around your car, abandon it and move to higher ground, if you can do so safely. You and your vehicle can be quickly swept away as flood waters rise.
Watch for and avoid broken sewers or water mains, loose or downed electrical wires and falling or fallen objects. Stay away from streams and drainage channels during and after the flood.
Under no circumstances should you try to swim or dive into the water. The currents are deadly.
Stay away from flooded areas- even if it seems safe, the water may still be rising. Never try to cross flood waters on foot.
What to do After a Flood:
Do not visit disaster areas, until authorized to do so. Flood dangers do not end when the water begins to recede.
If you have flood insurance and suffer a loss, notify your agent.
Tune into radio and television for advice and instructions on where to obtain medical care and where to get assistance for such necessities as housing, clothes and food.
Do not enter your home if flood waters are over the first floor; you cannot tell whether the building is safe to enter.
Use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights (not oil or gas lanterns or torches) to examine buildings.
Flooding may have swollen doors tight. When the entrance must be forced, try to enter through a window or other opening.
Check with local civil defense or emergency management authorities before using any water for drinking. Water sources are often contaminated by the flood. Wells should be pumped out and water tested by authorities before drinking.
Do not eat food that has come in contact with flood waters. To avoid health hazards from eating contaminated food, health officials recommend that the following foods should be destroyed: non-liquid foods, including dried fruits, cereals, flour, shortening, spices, packaged goods, meat (fresh and cured), canned goods (if damaged or showing signs of seepage), bottled food products, including home preserves, bottled drinks because of contamination under the edge of the cap, and leafy vegetables.
Do not handle live electrical equipment in wet areas. Have an expert check all equipment before returning to it to service.
Ask the gas company to check your home for leaks and to turn the gas back on.
