Understanding and Managing Flood Risks Around Your Home

Flooding can pose a significant threat to homes, especially those near rivers, lakes, or canals. Being prepared and taking proactive measures can minimize potential damage and ensure your safety. This post outlines essential steps to take before, during, and after a flood.

Preparing Your Home for Potential Flooding

Before floodwaters rise, there are several preventative measures you can implement:

• Elevate Utilities: If your home is prone to flooding, elevate your furnace, water heater, and electrical panel to protect them from water damage.
• Install Check Valves: Install "check valves" in sewer traps to prevent floodwater from backing up into your home's drains.
• Consider Barriers: Contact community officials to learn about any planned construction of barriers like levees or floodwalls in your area.
• Seal Basement Walls: Seal basement walls with waterproofing compounds to prevent seepage.

What to Do When a Flood is Likely

When a flood watch or warning is issued, stay informed and take immediate action:

• Stay Informed: Listen to the radio or television for updated information and instructions from local authorities.
• Recognize Flash Flood Risks: Be aware that flash floods can occur rapidly, even without visible rain clouds or heavy rain. Move immediately to higher ground if there's any possibility of a flash flood.
• Identify Flood-Prone Areas: Be mindful of streams, drainage channels, canyons, and other areas known to flood suddenly.
• Secure Your Home: If evacuation is necessary and time permits, secure your home by bringing in outdoor furniture and moving essential items to an upper floor.
• Turn Off Utilities: Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances, but avoid touching electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.

Evacuation Tips

If you must evacuate, remember these critical safety guidelines:

• Avoid Walking Through Moving Water: Six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. If you must walk in water, choose areas where the water is not moving and use a stick to check the ground's firmness.
• Do Not Drive Into Flooded Areas: Six inches of water can cause loss of control and stalling in most passenger cars. 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.

What to Do After a Flood

After the floodwaters recede, proceed with caution:

• Check Water Safety: Listen for news reports about 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 Aware of Weakened Roads: Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
• Report Downed Power Lines: Stay away from downed power lines and report them to the power company.
• Return Home Safely: Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe. Stay out of any building surrounded by floodwaters.
• Use Caution Entering Buildings: Be extremely cautious when entering buildings, as there may be hidden damage, especially in foundations.
• Service Damaged Sewage Systems: Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible, as they pose serious health hazards.
• Clean and Disinfect: Clean and disinfect everything that got wet, as mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.

Understanding Flood Alerts

Familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify flood hazards:

• Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.
• Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground and listen for updates.
• Flood Warning: Flooding is occurring or will occur soon. Evacuate immediately if advised.
• Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood is occurring. Seek higher ground on foot immediately.

By taking these precautions, you can significantly reduce the risks associated with flooding and protect your home and family.