If you live in an area that's experiencing torrential rains and severe flooding, it's time to prepare for the onslaught of water. This is particularly true if your home is in the path of the flood warnings. While there's nothing you can do to stop floods from coming through your home, there are some steps you can take to prepare for the event. Here's what you should do before, during, and after the event.
The Floods Are Coming
The best time to prepare for a flood is before they arrive. Before the flooding starts, make sure you know where the nearest evacuation centers are located. This is a good time to prepare your emergency packs and place them in an easily accessible area of your home. If possible, you should have two emergency packs for each member of your family.
One set should be stored on the first-floor and the second set should be stored next to a window on the second-floor. This will ensure that you have access to your packs wherever you are in your home when the floods arrive. If you live in a two-story home, you should move as many of your belongings onto the second-floor as you can. Be sure to move important papers and family heirlooms first. This will ensure that they're safely stored upstairs if the flood waters enter your home.
The Floods Are Here
Once you receive your evacuation orders, you should leave the house. Be sure to turn the utilities off before you leave. This will help ensure that you don't return to hazardous conditions such as gas leaks or electrical hazards. While driving to the evacuation center, try to avoid driving through standing water. It might be deeper than you think. When you arrive at the evacuation center, you should remain there until they tell you that it's safe to return home.
The Floods Have Subsided
After the floods have subsided, you'll be able to return home. Before you enter your home, look inside and make sure that the water isn't covering any power outlets. If they are, don't enter your home until you can have the electricity turned off at the meter. The water could be electrically charged. If it's safe to enter, be sure to leave the appliances off until they can be inspected. Take pictures of the damage in each room. This will help when you file a claim with your insurance company. Don't try to take care of the cleanup by yourself. Instead, contact a damage contractor like Absolute Restoration LLC. They'll be able to repair the damage and restore your home.
If the weather forecast calls for flooding in your area, make sure you're prepared. This information will help you know what to do if your home is hit by a flood.
Share6 July 2016
When my home was flooded last year, I was nearly in tears after surveying the damage. The carpets were soaked, the furniture was filthy and the house had a terrible odor. I didn't know how I was ever going to clean up the mess good enough so my home would be livable again. After speaking with my neighbor, whose home was also flooded, I found out about damage contractors. My name is Arlene Bell and I am here to sing the praises of the restoration crew that cleaned up my home. They worked tirelessly for days until every drop of water was gone. My home looks terrific and there are no signs that it was ever flooded. Read my blog to learn what you should and shouldn't do if you ever have emergency damage to your home.