Beat that unannounced flood with this set of guidelines

Heavy rains and stormy winds can often flood your locality, sometimes in unprecedented ways. With the extreme weather conditions that we are facing today previously unflooded areas can receive a months worth of rainfall in one day. 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.

The primary need is to make sure that water cannot get into your home.

If you are expecting heavy rains or storms to hit your area, particularly if you live in a flood-prone area, you should cover your doors, or even windows, with metal sheets, sandbags, or plywood. Silicone sealant is another thing that you can use during floods, to make sure that water doesn't seep in into your home. 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.

Shut off your utilities.

Make a point to turn off all utilities and services including gas, electricity and water. All electrical equipment must be unplugged and stored at the highest floor level to avoid flood damage. Storage on the second floor ensures that items can remain dry and far from the influence of water, as in most cases the water level will not reach the level of the upstairs floors inside homes.

Be mindful of your appliances and furniture.

Make sure that these appliances or furniture are moved upstairs, since you cannot afford to buy them again without a large insurance claim.
In case you do not have a higher area in your home, you can always use bricks or blocks to make one. Your curtains and carpets should be removed immediately, you should even remove the internal doors in your home.
Stock them up at a height so that they are screened from being exposed to water.

All your office items like papers, pictures in addition to personal items must be stored on the second floor safely. If possible, put them into a waterproof container, maybe a food storage container. Otherwise, to make sure the important papers are safe against water, place them in sealed plastic bags.

Now focusing on objects external to your hose like garden furniture, keep them in a secure place. It can be dangerous for others if these articles get caught in floodwater easily. A locked building like garage can be an ideal place to keep valuable items as it prevents their floating away for the duration of a flood. Wheelbarrow should also be kept in a garage, else it can also float away.

FThe following are the steps to be followed in case a flood warning is announced.

Up to date information is important when such situations are likely.

Hence, keep a watch over the news for announcements or updates by listening to the radio or television. Be sure to cooperate fully with local authorities and emergency services. In case, they want you to vacate, just follow their instructions and your evacuation as quick as possible, since you are endangering your life as well as those of the helpers until you are safe.

Power lines are invariably cut off during floods, so your activities must be confined to the daytime. It is much more difficult and unsafe to do things in the dark. Keep your torches and batteries handy.

Ensure that you share any information with your neighbours, particularly the elderly, so that they can properly prepare.

Do not try to go out of your house until and unless you are asked to. This is to ensure your safety as the flood water could be dangerous. Remember that even six inches of rapid currents can cause you to fall and even two feet of water can lift a car!.

Make sure to find some safe place for your pets and your familys cars. As soon as you hear the flood warning announced move to the second floor. Various objects might float in the floodwater so avoid swimming as it could be dangerous. It could either sweep you along with the water-current or hurt you by crashing into the objects in the water.

Besides, floodwater may be filthy and polluted with sewage, try to prevent any contact to avoid future infection. It would be a shame that you survived the flooding, but fell ill because of contaminated water. Avoid visiting places like sea defenses, riverbanks and bridges in floods as these can be very risky areas. The defenses and bridges have often collapsed in the past due to the floodwater.