Even in places where flooding isn't common, strong tropical storms and hurricanes often cause flooding. With the crazy weather we're having right now, everyone should be ready for anything, including flooding.
Here's what you should do to protect your home from flash floods:
Stop water from getting into your home.
If you expect heavy rains or storms in your area, especially if you live in a flood-prone area, you should cover your doors and windows with metal sheets, sandbags, or plywood. You can also make sure water doesn't get into your home by using silicone sealant.
Turn off your services.
You should remember to turn off all your utilities at the mains, including gas, electricity, and even water. You should also make sure to unplug all of your electronics and put them somewhere high, like the second floor, if you can.
Take care of your furniture and appliances.
Make sure all of your furniture and appliances are up high or in the attic. If you don't have a second floor, you can just put these things on blocks or bricks to raise them. Make sure to take out the carpets, curtains, and even the doors inside the house. Store them all in high places to keep water from getting to them.
Important papers, pictures, and other personal items should also be stored higher up, like on the second floor of your house. If you don't have a safe place, you should put important papers in sealed bags to protect them from floods.
Make sure that things like rakes that are outside your house are kept in a safe place. These things can easily float on floodwater, which can be dangerous for other people.
Here are some important things you should do when you get a flood warning:
Information is very important in these kinds of situations. So, you should always listen to the radio to find out what's going on.
Make sure to work with local authorities and emergency services as much as possible. If they tell you to evacuate, do it right away and don't wait around.
Since there will almost certainly be no electricity, you need to make sure you get everything done during the day. It is harder and more dangerous to do things in the dark.
- Tell your neighbours, especially the older ones, so they can also get ready.
Make sure you don't leave your house. Do not try to go out into floodwater, especially if it is raging. It's important to remember that six inches of fast-moving water could cause you to fall, while two feet of water could float your car.
- Make sure your pets and cars are somewhere safe. When you hear a flood warning, you should stay on the second floor of your house.
Do not try to swim through a raging flood because there may be things floating in the water. You can be swept away by the water or knocked over by things in the water.
Floodwater may be dirty and full of sewage, so you should stay away from it if you can. It would be a shame if you made it through the flood but got sick because the water was dirty.
During floods, river bridges, sea walls, and riverbanks are all very dangerous places to be. If you can, stay away from them. There have been many times when floodwaters have destroyed bridges and defences or caused them to fall down.
