When it rains heavily, when dams or levees fail, or when snow melts too rapidly, floods can happen in a matter of minutes.
According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, floods claim more lives each year than tornadoes, hurricanes, or lightning. Make sure to discuss where you will move and how you will handle a flood with your family before one arises.
By the time the flood waters approach your home, it is already too late to make plans. You must maintain your composure and avoid panicking in order to think clearly and act appropriately. These are nine things that you must never do while there is flooding.
Don`t Ignore Evacuation Orders
If you are at a location where evacuation is being advised, leave straight away to avoid getting stranded and being unable to escape. Also, never drive through barriers as local responders could be utilizing them to safely divert traffic away from flood-affected regions.
Don`t try to Drive Through Flooded Areas
According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, even 6 inches of swiftly moving water is enough to wash most automobiles off the road. Also, flood waters make it extremely difficult to assess the state of the road that is submerged, which might be concealing a sinkhole or other risk.
Don`t Get in Contact with Floodwater
Avoid wading in floodwater since it may be polluted and include hazardous objects like twigs, logs, and swept-away goods. Downed power wires can electrically charge the water as well, increasing the danger of electrocution. Also, you run the risk of falling and even being carried away by swift floodwaters.
Don`t Neglect Supplies
If you haven't done so already, you should start stockpiling supplies at the first sign of a potential flood—enough, according to the CDC, to last three days. assemble a first aid kit, cleaning materials, and nonperishable food. One gallon of water each day, per person, is recommended (and pet). Likewise, consider the individual needs of each person, including any medicines. Also remember to bring additional batteries, charging equipment, and flashlights.
Don`t Touch Electrical Appliances
If your home floods, follow instructions to shut off the power. The Electrical Safety Foundation International advises flipping each breaker before turning off the main breaker if you are instructed to take off the main power supply to your home. The main water and gas valves in your house may also need to be closed.
Bonus tips - What to Do During Floods
Here is how to keep safe and defend your house and family against potential calamity.
Stay Calm but Acknowledge Risks
Despite popular beliefs, floods don't only occur around the shore. As tropical systems and coastal storms make landfall, they move inland, bringing with them storm surges, torrential downpours, tornadoes, and flooding. The storm's moisture content causes severe rains to extend into the interior states.
Storm surges, an extraordinary rise in sea level during a storm, are the main reason for floods-related fatalities in the US, claims Ready.gov. Due to secondary flooding in neighboring rivers or lowland regions, storm surges might result in power outages and other utility disruptions that may hinder your ability to evacuate the area or contact emergency services. To find out how dangerous something is, get in touch with your nearby Red Cross or Federal Disaster Management Agency (FEMA) office.
Make an Evacuation Plan
Regardless of whether you live in a flood-prone location or not, having a family evacuation plan is important. In the event that family members aren't together when the storm strikes or become separated during the storm, the plan should include a prearranged meeting point. Make sure to practice the meeting place, go through the family's local evacuation route with everyone, and demonstrate where the emergency kit is located.
Protect Your House
Thorough house maintenance procedures reduce losses and damage from flooding. Clear out blocked downspouts and gutters to provide water with a clean path to drain from your house. Put away patio umbrellas and lightweight furniture and store out-of-season goods. Make sure there are no obstructions in the pathways and exits.
Consider buying modern flood barriers for home. These seemingly simple constructions can be installed and removed easily. Flood barriers are made out of robust materials and will serve you for many years keeping your house dry and safe. When the floodwater retreats, you can easily fold your flood barriers and store them in your garage, basement or even behind any door.
Contact Dam Easy to learn more about modern flood barriers and make informed decisions about floodproofing your house before the next flood season strikes.
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