Dealing with out of the blue flooding
Dealing with out of the blue flooding
Heavy rains and stormy winds can often flood your locality, sometimes in unprecedented ways. With the extreme weather conditions that we are facing today previously unflooded areas can receive a months worth of rainfall in one day. These change in conditions require everyone to make arrangements for any disaster, especially flooding.
Although one cannot avoid natural disasters, you can surely protect your home from flash floods by following a few safety measures.
First thing that you need to ensure is that water does not enter your home.
For those who live in highly vulnerable areas where heavy rains or storms are expected often, it is advisable to cover-up doors and windows using metal sheets, sandbags, plywood etc. You can also prevent water from entering your home by using a silicone sealant. These measures will not last for days but they may hold back a short lasting flood and keep your possessions dry.
You must shut off all your utilities.
You should remember to turn off all your utilities, such as gas, electricity and even water, at the mains. Electrical equipment must be unplugged and stored at height to prevent contact with water. The water may enter into your home in spite of you being very careful, and although the water level normally increases some feet this may not be up to up to the second floor of your house so that it is dry and any items left there will be intact.
Pay particular attention to your appliances and house furniture.
Valuable appliances and furniture should be kept in elevated areas or upstairs.
If a second floor is not available, as in case of a bungalow, raise items by arranging them on blocks or bricks. Be sure to remove carpets, curtains and even internal doors.
When all these goods are stored at high locations, they stand a much better chance of weathering the incoming 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. Put these items in containers that are impervious to water, such as those used for storing food. However in case you do not have these containers, you can always use plastic bags for the same purpose.
Rakes and other objects that are outside your house also need proper attention. It can be dangerous for others if these articles get caught in floodwater easily. A locked building like garage can be an ideal place to keep valuable items as it prevents their floating away for the duration of a flood. For instance, floodwater can even float away a wheelbarrow if kept in the open, but if it is locked into a garage, the possibility is very low.
Listen carefully for flood warnings, there some steps you need to take on hearing such an announcement.
Correct information is vital in such circumstances.
Be attentive to all radio announcements and flood updates given by local services. Be sure to cooperate fully with local authorities and emergency services. Once they ask you to relocate to some other place, do it without delay and save yourself and your family from any risks involved.
Do not delay doing important work during the day as at night you cannot guarantee the availability of power. Doing work in darkness becomes tedious and unsafe. Keep your torches and batteries handy.
When you get any such announcement, share it with your neighbors without fail, especially any older people, in order that they have enough time to get prepared.
Avoid moving out of your homes. Floodwater in its most fast flowing form can take lives and one should avoid moving outside if at all possible. Remember that even six inches of rapid currents can cause you to fall and even two feet of water can lift a car!.
Keep your pets and automobiles in secure areas. Once you heard of flood warning, you should stay on the second floor of your house. Avoid swimming as fdangerous loating objects may be present in the water. These objects could knock you over or cause you to be carried away by the floodwater.
Avoid contact with floodwater, as it may be unclean or have become contaminated by contact with sewage waste. Getting infected due to the befouled water could be tragic whenh you have been saved from drowning. The frontlines of waterbodies, such as bridges, riverbanks and sea barriers are the most risky places in a flood, so just stay away from such locations. The defenses and bridges have often collapsed in the past due to the floodwater.
