The householders guidebook to dealing with an unannounced flood

Strong storms and high winds often cause flooding, even in areas that are not prone to such an event. Weather conditions have become extreme and regions that were once deprived of water can now encounter heavy rainfall in a single day. These change in conditions require everyone to make arrangements for any disaster, especially flooding.

Whilst these acts of god can strike at anytime there are a number of things you can do to try to safeguard your home from flash floods.

The first and foremost step is that you must stop water from coming into your home.

If severe rains or storms are expected to reach your area, cover your doors and windows with wood, sheets of metal, or sandbags, particularly if you reside in an area that is prone to flooding. A silicone sealant is a good water-proofing material that will keep your house free from water logs. Though these measures do not help over an elongated period, they may be beneficial in the short-run to protect from a flood and keep your home dry.

Shut off your utilities.

It is important to shut off the electricity, gas and even water supplies, as well as other utilities, at the mains supply. Remember to remove the plugs of all electrical appliances and place them at a height above the expected flood level, possibly the second floor of your home. Water entry into homes often rises several feet but this will mean that the second floor is dry and any items you have stored there will not be impacted.

Stay alert when it comes to your appliances or furniture.

It is essential to safeguard your precious furniture and appliances by storing them upstairs or on elevated areas downstairs.
For those who live in houses without upper floors like a bungalow, it is better to store the valuables on blocks or bricks. Ensure removal of all curtains, carpets and internal doors as well.
Stock them up at a height so that they are screened from being exposed to water.

Photos, documents and personal things that are important and cannot be replaced must be placed at height or on the second floor if available. Also store them in waterproof containers such as food storage containers. Otherwise, to make sure the important papers are safe against water, place them in sealed plastic bags.

Now focusing on objects external to your hose like garden furniture, keep them in a secure place. The rising flood waters can lift such unsecured objects and cause harm to others. Use your garage, a locked building, as the most suitable place to store precious garden articles which are prone to damage. A seemingly heavy object like a wheelbarrow can be flung about and carried away by the flood, but it will be safe if stored inside your garage.

If a flood warning is issued here are important things you need to do once you a flood warning has been issued.

The information provided is of great importance in such crises.

Hence, keep a watch over the news for announcements or updates by listening to the radio or television. Offer your full support and cooperation to the local authorities and other emergency services. If asked to evacuate comply immediately as delays can increase risk for you and the helpers who are trying to assist you.

Do not delay doing important work during the day as at night you cannot guarantee the availability of power. It is dangerous and troublesome to move around in darkness. For emergency purposes, ensure that you load your torches with fresh batteries and also have a spare on hand.

Share the information with your neighbors, particularly the old people, so that they can also prepare themselves.

Until the time to move stay in your house safely. Any attempt to leave your house can prove deadly, especially when it is raging during floods. It is important to note that rapid flowing water that is six inches high could make you fall, while two feet of water could make your car float.

Cars and household pets should be removed to a place where they will be out of danger. When a flood announcement is made, you must move upstairs to the highest floor of your house. Avoid swimming as fdangerous loating objects may be present in the water. These objects can hurt or trap you and you could be washed away.

Avoid contact with floodwater, as it may be unclean or have become contaminated by contact with sewage waste. It would be a pitty to survive the flood but get sick due to exposure to contaminated water. Avoid visiting places like sea defenses, riverbanks and bridges in floods as these can be very risky areas. You might have heard of many incidences of floodwater having destroyed and collapsed defenses and bridges , so don’t make yourself a victim.

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