Organise yourself for the incoming flooding in your area
Organise yourself for the incoming flooding in your area
Strong storms and high winds often cause flooding, even in areas that are not prone to such an event. With the extreme weather conditions that we are facing today previously unflooded areas can receive a months worth of rainfall in one day. One should be well equipped for any circumstances including flash floods.
Although one cannot avoid natural disasters, you can surely protect your home from flash floods by following a few safety measures.
Make sure the water does not break in your house.
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. Silicone sealant applied to the joints of shutters and glazing is effective in preventing water seepage. Although having a short lifetime these materials are very effective in preventing short duration floods and keeping things dry.
Switch off any external services.
It is important to shut off the electricity, gas and even water supplies, as well as other utilities, at the mains supply. Importantly, switching off the power running to appliances must not be forgotten. 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.
You need to take good care of your furniture and other appliances.
It is essential to safeguard your precious furniture and appliances by storing them upstairs or on elevated areas downstairs.
If your house is a bungalow and therefore lacks a second floor, use blocks or bricks to elevate these items. Be sure to remove carpets, curtains and even internal doors.
If you want to give protection from water to any of your possessions, all these should be stored in raised places.
The second floor of the house can be used for putting down all the important papers and pictures. If possible, put them into a waterproof container, maybe a food storage container. At the least, place them in sealed plastic bags to keep them dry.
Find a safe place for all external items like rakes. These items can be readily picked up by floodwaters, and this might prove dangerous for others in the vicinity. Use a building that can be secured, such as a garage, to store items of value that might be carried away. 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.
Listen carefully for flood warnings, there some steps you need to take on hearing such an announcement.
The information provided is of great importance in such crises.
Therefore, keep listening to the radio and pay attention for information and announcements. Ensure that you act in cooperation with the directions of the emergency services and local authorities. They may need you to move out of the house, which you must do quickly to avoid aggravating the risk to you and the emergency services.
Try to finish up your work during the daytime as electricity is usually not available in such conditions. It is dangerous and troublesome to move around in darkness. Torch batteries must be kept handy and in known places ready for an emergency.
Ensure that you share any information with your neighbours, particularly the elderly, so that they can properly prepare.
Try to spend as much time as possible in the house rather than exposing yourself to risk outside. Floodwaters are so powerful that they can kill while flowing strongly, therefore it is recommended that you stay inside. Be aware that when water is flowing rapidly, a small depth of water can cause you to fall over; only two feet is required to float your car.
Cars and household pets should be removed to a place where they will be out of danger. Once you heard of flood warning, you should stay on the second floor of your house. Since many objects may float in the raging floodwater, do not try to swim across to safety or a higher location. It could either sweep you along with the water-current or hurt you by crashing into the objects in the water.
Leaking sewage invariably finds its way into floodwater, so stay away from the water as much as you can. It would be a shame that you survived the flooding, but fell ill because of contaminated water. Riverbanks, sea defenses and river bridges are the most dangerous places during floods, so avoid going near them. You might have heard of many incidences of floodwater having destroyed and collapsed defenses and bridges , so don’t make yourself a victim.