The actions you should do to make ready for that flood
The actions you should do to make ready for that flood
Areas which are not vulnerable to flooding can at times be impacted by the adverse effects of strong storms and high winds. A whole month’s quota of rain can fall in a single day in areas that have never witnessed floods, owing to the rapidly changing weather of today. As a result everybody should be prepared for anything, particularly flooding.
Owing to the uncertain occurrence of these acts of God, you must undertake a number of measures to prevent your house from being affected with flash floods.
The primary need is to make sure that water cannot get into your home.
If you are living in a flood prone area, or anticipating severe rains and storms, covering the doors and windows with sandbags, plywood or metal sheets is highly recommended. 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.
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. You should also remember to unplug all your electrical appliances and store them at high places, on the second floor, if possible. 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.
Take special care of the appliances and furniture.
Valuable appliances and furniture should be kept in elevated areas or upstairs.
If you do not have a second floor as you live in a bungalow, you can just raise such items on blocks or bricks. Be sure to remove carpets, curtains and even internal doors.
Stock them up at a height so that they are screened from being exposed to water.
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. If the above is not possible, you can just seal these papers into plastic refuse bags to be shielded from water.
Make sure that all objects outside your house, such as rakes, are kept in a safe place. It can be dangerous for others if these articles get caught in floodwater easily. Besides, keep all your important items in a locked room or building (a garage) to prevent them from floating 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.
FThe following are the steps to be followed in case a flood warning is announced.
In circumstance such as these, information is of vital importance.
Keep yourself glued to your radio sets so that you do not miss out on any important announcements. Your co-operation with the local authorities and service providers is must in the hour of need. Once they ask you to relocate to some other place, do it without delay and save yourself and your family from any risks involved.
Try to finish up your work during the daytime as electricity is usually not available in such conditions. It will be tough and unsafe if you perform these things in the dark. For emergency purposes, ensure that you load your torches with fresh batteries and also have a spare on hand.
Do not keep the information that you receive to yourself, spread the word especially to the old people.
Try to spend as much time as possible in the house rather than exposing yourself to risk outside. Floodwater in its most fast flowing form can take lives and one should avoid moving outside if at all possible. Fast paced water that is about six inches high can easily off-balance you while two feet is enough depth to float a car.
Make sure to find some safe place for your pets and your familys cars. When a flood announcement is made, you must move upstairs to the highest 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.
Floodwater is dirty due to the presence of sewage and any contact with it should be possibly avoided. Getting infected due to the befouled water could be tragic whenh you have been saved from drowning. The most dangerous places that must be avoided during floods are sea defenses, river bridges and riverbanks, hence keep away from such dangerous areas. There have been many cases wherein floodwater have destroyed or collapsed bridges and defenses.