Your plan for the next flood alert
Your plan for the next flood alert
Floods can be caused by high winds and heavy storms, even in areas that are not accustomed to witness such events. The weather conditions have undergone a drastic change so much so that areas which used to remain unflooded are now experiencing huge rainfall. These change in conditions require everyone to make arrangements for any disaster, especially flooding.
Although such “acts of God” can occur at any point, you can use a number of preventative measures to help to protect your home against flash floods.
Make provisions that restrict water from entering the house.
If you are already aware of an expected storm or heavy downpour in your area, or if your house is located in a flood-prone area, you must act immediately, protecting your doors and windows using plywood and metal sheets and shielding them using sandbags. You can also use silicone sealant to ensure that water will not enter your home. Steps like these will keep your household dry and safe through brief floods, though heavier sustained storms need better defences.
It is advised to switch off all appliances during floods.
You should remember to turn off all your utilities, such as gas, electricity and even water, at the mains. Importantly, switching off the power running to appliances must not be forgotten. Water that enters homes may rise to a height of several feet or more; the second floor will therefore remain dry, so that any objects stored there will not be affected.
Be mindful of your appliances and furniture.
It is essential to safeguard your precious furniture and appliances by storing them upstairs or on elevated areas downstairs.
If space or storage does not permit, raise all these goods onto stacks of bricks, clear off the ground. Fold up carpets and curtains and store them away, you could even detach internal doors and keep them upstairs!.
Store these articles at height to save them from water which may enter.
The higher areas like the second floors are the best places to accumulate essential papers, images and other personal articles which are difficult to replace. To ensure total safety, you can put them up in waterproof containers like the ones used for storing food. Otherwise, to make sure the important papers are safe against water, place them in sealed plastic bags.
Make sure that all objects outside your house, such as rakes, are kept in a safe place. Items floating in floodwater can be dangerous for others. Any possessions that may be washed out by the storm must be kept in a lockable area like a garage. Even a wheelbarrow could float away if left outside whereas it will not move if kept in a garage and will not be harmed by the flood water.
Once you have received a flood warning, there are several important tasks you must carry out immediately.
Correct information is vital in such circumstances.
To keep yourself updated about the broadcasts and announcements, listening to the radio. Extend your full cooperation to emergency services and local authorities. If asked to evacuate comply immediately as delays can increase risk for you and the helpers who are trying to assist you.
As electricity if often unavailable in such cases plan to complete all preparatory work during day. Doing work in darkness becomes tedious and unsafe. Keep your torches and batteries handy.
Do not keep the information that you receive to yourself, spread the word especially to the old people.
Be sure to stay inside your house. This is to ensure your safety as the flood water could be dangerous. 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.
If you have any pets or cars, make sure to keep them in a safe place. Climb up and stay on the second floor of your house if a flood warning has been issued in your area. Hazardous objects may be borne by the floodwaters, it is extremely dangerous to try and swim through such raging currents. There are chances of getting swept away or collisions with objects present in the water.
Floodwater is dirty due to the presence of sewage and any contact with it should be possibly avoided. It really wont be a good idea to fall ill because of the contaminated floodwater. Riverbanks, sea defenses and river bridges are the most dangerous places during floods, so avoid going near them. Many instances can be sighted leading to the destruction of bridges and defenses due to the alarming effect of floods.