Understanding and Managing Flood Risks Around Your Home
Flooding is a serious concern for many homeowners, especially those living near rivers, lakes, or canals. Understanding the risks and taking proactive measures can significantly reduce potential damage and ensure your safety. This post outlines essential steps to prepare for, manage during, and recover from a flood.
Preparing Your Home for a Flood
Before floodwaters arrive, there are several preventative measures you can take to protect your property:
Elevate Utilities: Raise your furnace, water heater, and electrical panel if they are susceptible to flooding. This prevents damage to these 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.
Waterproof Your Basement: Seal basement walls with waterproofing compounds to prevent seepage. This can keep your basement drier and reduce the amount of water you have to deal with.
Stay Informed: Listen to the radio or television for information and updates from community officials. Familiarize yourself with flood-related terms like "Flood Watch" (flooding is possible) and "Flood Warning" (flooding is occurring or will occur soon).
Community Planning: Contact community officials to find out if they are planning to construct barriers like levees, beams, or floodwalls to protect homes in your area.
What to Do During a Flood
If a flood is imminent or occurring, follow these steps to ensure your safety:
Evacuate Immediately if Necessary: If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions. Be aware of streams, drainage channels, and canyons that are prone to sudden flooding.
Secure Your Home: If you have time before evacuating, secure your home. Bring in outdoor furniture and move 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 do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
Evacuation Tips:
- Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving and use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
- Do not drive into flooded areas. Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control and possible stalling. A foot of water will 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 the car and move to higher ground if you can do so safely.
What to Do After a Flood
After the floodwaters recede, take the following precautions:
Stay Informed: Listen for news reports to learn whether the community's water supply is safe to drink.
Avoid Floodwaters: Avoid floodwaters as they may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
Be Aware of Weakened Roads: Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. 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 if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
Exercise Caution When Entering Buildings: Use extreme caution when entering buildings, as there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations.
Service Damaged Sewage Systems: Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards.
Clean and Disinfect: Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.
By taking these steps, you can better protect yourself, your family, and your property from the dangers of flooding. Stay informed, be prepared, and act quickly when necessary.