25 Tips On Floods

7/17/2017 (Permalink)

Every flooding situation needs to be taken seriously.

Floods are among the most common, most costly, and most dangerous weather disasters. Even areas without heavy rain can experience extreme flooding if the area upstream has lots of rain. Rains that are light can cause flooding if the light rain continues day after day. Keep these tips in mind to avoid the dangers of floods.

Take Any Flooding Situation Seriously

1. Face reality. Flooding causes more deaths in the United States than any other natural disaster. Don’t take any flood lightly. Act early and be thorough.
2. Just six inches of rapidly flowing water can cause you to fall and be taken down stream. Don’t cross rapidly moving waters even if you think you know the terrain.
3. Cars can be swept away by as little as a foot of water. Never try to drive through flooding waters.
4. Identify local waterways that threaten you and preplan several evacuation routes from both your home and your business.
5. Talk with your family about what to do if a flood watch or warning is issued. Discussing floods ahead of time helps reduce fear, especially for younger children.

Keep Up With The Weather News

6. Copy your important documents (financial information, social security cards, birth certificates, passports, marriage certificate, etc.) and store them in a remote location like a bank safe deposit box.
7. Consult with your insurance agent about your coverage. Do you have flood insurance? Do you need flood insurance?
8. Have a weather radio, smart phone app, or other means to receive flood warnings and weather updates. Keep it close and turned on.
9. Follow all appropriate flood warnings by the National Weather Service, local media, or any official authority issuing instructions due to an impending flood.
10. Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.

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Prepare Your Home Before You Leave It

11. In case you must leave your home quickly have an emergency bag ready by the door or where you can quickly retrieve it. Your emergency bag should include personal hygiene items, water, snacks, spare cash, a flashlight, and anything else that you or your family might need to stay safe for 72 hours or longer. Plan on at least a 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food.
12. Take photographs of every room in your home or business. Be certain to capture the most valuable and hard to replace items (artwork, cars, jewelry, etc.). Store the photos on a portable device like a flash drive or memory card. Keep that device in your emergency bag.
13. If you have a sump pump make sure it’s working. Consider installing a battery-operated backup, in case of a power failure.
14. Clear debris from gutters and downspouts. You want heavy rain to fall outside your house not be directed inside your house through clogged gutters.
15. Move outdoor furniture or decorative items inside. Move important, valuable items upstairs.

Avoid Flood Waters And Power Lines

16. Turn off water, gas, and electricity at the main shut-offs and unplug electrical equipment.
17. Before you leave your home or business lock all doors and windows.
18. Avoid flood waters. They’re usually toxic and filled with hazardous materials and bacteria.
19. Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.
20. Avoid downed power lines that could go unnoticed in water, on the ground, or on a chain-link fence.

Evacuate

21. Evacuate to a safe location. Be sure to take your weather radio or other means of keeping up with the weather news with you.
22. Stay away from animals. They may be afraid and defend themselves aggressively. 
23. Be especially cautious at night when it’s harder to recognize flood danger.
24. Stay calm so you’ll think better. Panic doesn’t help.
25. If you have pets the Red Cross recommends consider a pet emergency kit.

Here To Help
The team at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield has specialized training and experience in water restoration services, natural disaster prevention, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of  Manchester/Mansfield (860.649.0836) anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro
540 N. Main Street
Manchester, CT 06042
Call 860.649.0836
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