Be prepared for flooding
- Check your insurance.
- Protect your belongings.
- Check your eavestroughs and downspouts.
- Check your sump pump and backflow preventer valve if you have one.
- Create an emergency plan with your family and have a 72-hr kit ready.
- Know how to quickly turn off your water, gas and electricity mains.
What are five main points you should do to prepare for flooding?
What to do before a flood
- Get flood insurance. Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage.
- Know your flood risk. Look up your address in the Flood Map Service Center to learn if you live, work, or travel in areas that are prone to flooding.
- Take a household inventory.
- Store important documents.
What preparations can be made before a flood?
Add window wells and covers to windows that are near or below ground level. Raise large appliances in the basement above the potential water level from a flood. Find your floor drain and make sure nothing is covering it like boxes, furniture or carpet. Install a sump pump, backup pump and power supply.
How can you prepare yourself during floods?
Prepare an emergency kit
- Your flood plan and emergency contact details.
- Important documents like passports, identification and insurance certificates.
- Non-perishable food, can opener, cutlery and cooking equipment.
- Battery-operated radio and torch with spare batteries.
- A complete first aid kit.
What not to do before a flood?
Never drive, ride or walk through floodwater. Locate and get ready to activate your Home or Business FloodSafe Plan.
Do and don’ts before flood?
To prepare for a flood, you should: Avoid building in flood prone areas unless you elevate and reinforce your home. Elevate the furnace, water heater, and electric panel if susceptible to flooding. Install “Check Valves” in sewer traps to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains of your home.
What should you take with you in a flood?
Put together an emergency kit in case of a flood (or any natural disaster, really), which should include a first aid kit, a torch, radio, drinking water, food that won’t perish quickly (such as canned food), and extra batteries. Make sure your important documents (including your passport, insurance documents, etc.)
How do you elevate furniture for flooding?
Elevate Furniture
Place concrete blocks under sofas and other furniture to raise them up off the floor away from rising floodwaters. If you get six inches of floodwater in your home, a few eight-inch cinder blocks may provide the protection you need to save that dining room suite you’re so fond of.
How do you drink water during a flood?
Until a water test confirms that the water is safe, get water from a known safe source or boil your water for 1 minute to use for:
- Drinking.
- Cooking.
- Making juice or ice.
- Washing fruit and vegetables.
- Brushing teeth.
What are 5 things you should or should not do during a flood warning?
What to do During a Flood Warning or Flash Flood Warning
- Move immediately to higher ground or stay on high ground.
- Continue to check the media for emergency information.
- Follow instructions from public safety officials.
- If you must evacuate your home, take only essential items and bring your pets if safe to do so.
Do and don’ts during flood?
(i) Never go to inundated areas bare feet, (ii) don’t wade through water current, (iii) beware of electric posts and damaged power lines, (iv) do not drink polluted water, (v) do not let children play in rainwater, and (vi) do not leave rescue or relief centres till the officials concerned declare your locality as safe
Can you drink water during flood?
Flooding may cause sewage to overflow inside your home. Contaminated areas must be cleaned and disinfected. Drinking water may be contaminated – do not drink any water unless you know it is safe. Food may be contaminated by floodwater or spoiled due to a power failure.
What should a family do before flood?
Protect your property.
Move valuables and furniture to higher levels. Move hazardous materials (such as paint, oil, pesticides, and cleaning supplies) to higher locations. Disconnect electrical appliances.
Can you shower during a flood?
It is not recommended that you shower, bathe or shave with potentially contaminated water as it could introduce the risk of swallowing the water. This is particularly a concern for children and disabled individuals who could accidentally ingest a quantity of water.
What is the best place to be during a flood?
Get to Higher Ground: If you live in a flood prone area or are camping in a low lying area, get to higher ground immediately. Obey Evacuation Orders: If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Lock your home when you leave. If you have time, disconnect utilities and appliances.
How can I protect my house from flood waters?
Close any foundation cracks with mortar and masonry caulk or hydraulic cement, which expands and fills gaps completely. Seal walls in your basements with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage. Make sure any floor drains are clear of obstructions. Install flood vents.
What should not be used in a flooded house?
Do not use flooded appliances, electrical outlets, switch boxes or fuse-breaker panels until they have been checked by your local utility. Whether you use a wood, gas or electrical heating system, have it thoroughly inspected by a qualified technician before using it again.
How do I protect my clothes after a flood?
Then, be prepared to clean it once again after washing clothes contaminated by floodwaters in it.
- Fill With Water. Set the washer to the largest load capacity and fill with hot water.
- Add Bleach. Add one cup of chlorine bleach.
- Run a Full Cycle. Set the washer to a full cycle with a hot water rinse.
- Clean Exterior.
Should you move furniture outdoors during a flood?
During a Flood:
Do not wait for instructions to move. If you must prepare to evacuate you should: Secure your home, bring in outdoor furniture, move essential items to an upper floor, turn off utilities at the main switches or values if instructed to do so, and disconnect electric appliances.
What are three things you can do to survive during a flood?
Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!
- Evacuate if told to do so.
- Move to higher ground or a higher floor.
- Stay where you are.
How do you dry out a room after a flood?
Clean or hose out the ducts first. Run dehumidifiers to reduce the moisture, especially in closed-up areas. Use desiccants. Desiccants are materials that absorb moisture and can be used in drying closets or other closed areas where air cannot move through.