Understanding and Managing Flood Risks Around Your Home

Flooding can pose a significant threat to your property and well-being. Being prepared and taking proactive measures can greatly reduce potential damage and ensure your safety. This guide provides essential information on how to protect your home before, during, and after a flood.

Preparing Your Home for Potential Flooding

Before floodwaters arrive, there are several steps you can take to minimize the impact:

• Elevate Utilities: Raise your furnace, water heater, and electrical panel if they are in areas susceptible to flooding. This prevents damage to essential systems and reduces the risk of electrical hazards.
• Install Check Valves: Install "check valves" in sewer traps to prevent floodwater from backing up into your home's drains.
• Seal Basement Walls: Apply waterproofing compounds to your basement walls to prevent seepage.
• Stay Informed: Monitor radio or television broadcasts for updates and instructions from local authorities.
• Know Your Flood Risk: If your home is near a river, lake, or canal, you are at a higher risk of flooding. Contact community officials to learn about any planned construction of barriers like levees or floodwalls.
• Recognize Flash Flood Potential: Be aware that flash floods can occur rapidly. If there's a possibility of a flash flood, immediately move to higher ground without waiting for official instructions. Pay attention to streams, drainage channels, and canyons, which are prone to sudden flooding, even without typical warnings like heavy rain.

What to Do During a Flood Emergency

If evacuation becomes necessary, follow these steps:

• Secure Your Home: If time permits, bring outdoor furniture inside and move essential items to an upper floor.
• Turn Off Utilities: If instructed, turn off utilities at the main switches or valves. Disconnect electrical appliances, but avoid touching electrical equipment if you're wet or standing in water.
• Evacuate Safely:
  • Do not walk through moving water: Six inches of moving water can easily knock you off your feet. If you must walk through water, choose areas where the water is not moving and use a stick to check the ground's firmness.
  • Avoid driving into flooded areas: Six inches of water can cause most passenger cars to lose control and stall. A foot of water can float many vehicles, and two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickup trucks. If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon it and move to higher ground if you can do so safely.

Actions to Take After a Flood

After the floodwaters recede, prioritize safety and assess the damage:

• Check Water Safety: Listen to news reports to confirm the safety of the community's water supply before drinking it.
• Avoid Floodwaters: Floodwaters may be contaminated with oil, gasoline, raw sewage, or be electrically charged from downed power lines.
• Be Cautious of Weakened Roads: Be aware that roads may have weakened due to the flood and could collapse under the weight of a vehicle.
• Stay Away from Downed Power Lines: Report any downed power lines to the power company immediately.
• Return Home Safely: Return home only when authorities say it is safe. Stay out of any building surrounded by floodwaters.
• Use Caution When Entering Buildings: Be extremely careful when entering buildings, as there may be hidden damage, especially to foundations.
• Service Damaged Sewage Systems: Have damaged septic tanks, cesspools, and leaching systems serviced as soon as possible to prevent serious health hazards.
• Clean and Disinfect: Thoroughly clean and disinfect everything that has been in contact with floodwater, as mud left behind can contain sewage and chemicals.

Understanding Flood Alerts

Familiarize yourself with these flood-related terms:

• Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for updates.
• Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground and monitor weather reports.
• Flood Warning: Flooding is occurring or will occur soon. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
• Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood is occurring. Seek higher ground on foot immediately.

By taking these precautions and staying informed, you can significantly improve your safety and minimize the impact of flooding on your home and community.