Understanding and Preparing for Floods: A Comprehensive Guide

Flooding is a natural disaster that can cause significant damage to homes and communities. Being informed and prepared is crucial for minimizing the impact of floods on your property and ensuring your safety. This guide provides essential information on flood preparedness, safety measures during a flood, and steps to take after a flood.

Preparing Your Home for Potential Flooding

Taking proactive steps can significantly reduce flood damage. Consider these measures:

• Elevate vulnerable equipment: Elevate your furnace, water heater, and electrical panel if they are susceptible to flooding. This prevents damage and potential 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: Contact community officials to learn about any planned construction of barriers like levees or floodwalls in your area.
• Monitor for information: Listen to the radio or television for flood-related information and warnings.
• Recognize flash flood risks: Be aware that flash floods can occur rapidly. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, immediately move to higher ground without waiting for official instructions.
• Identify flood-prone areas: Be mindful of streams, drainage channels, canyons, and other areas known to flood suddenly, even without typical warnings like heavy rain.

What to Do During a Flood

If evacuation becomes necessary, follow these guidelines to protect yourself and your property:

• Secure your home: If time allows, bring in outdoor furniture and move essential items to an upper floor to keep them safe from floodwaters.
• Turn off utilities: If instructed, turn off utilities at the main switches or valves. Disconnect electrical appliances, but avoid touching electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
• Avoid walking through moving water: Six inches of moving water can cause you to fall. If you must walk in water, choose areas 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 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.

Actions to Take After a Flood

After a flood, prioritize safety and assess the damage before returning to normal activities:

• Listen for safety advisories: Check news reports to confirm whether the community's water supply is safe to drink.
• Avoid floodwaters: Floodwaters may be contaminated with oil, gasoline, raw sewage, or be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
• Be cautious of weakened roads: Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded, as roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
• Stay away from downed power lines: Report any downed power lines to the power company.
• Return home when authorities say it's safe: Only return home when authorities have deemed it safe.
• Use caution when entering buildings: Inspect buildings for hidden damage, especially in foundations.
• Service damaged sewage systems: Address 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 by floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.

Understanding Flood Alerts

Familiarize yourself with these terms to stay informed during potential flood events:

• Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Monitor NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for updates.
• Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible. Prepare to move to higher ground and stay informed.
• 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 understanding these guidelines and taking appropriate action, you can protect yourself, your family, and your property from the devastating effects of flooding.