What to do in a flood? Decide now, not then. Flooding may occur without adequate time to make important decisions. When high water is threatening your safety and jeopardizing your home and possessions, that's not the best time to start considering the pros and cons of what to do in a flood. Time is of the essence and you may have very little of it to make the right choices. Here are some things you need to know now in order to be prepared then:
If Flooding Threatens
- Bring any valuable outdoor items inside.
- Rinse bathtubs with bleach, then fill with water for drinking in the even municipal water is unfit.
- Place valuable records and heirlooms in waterproof conditioners and relocate to high place like the attic.
- Stay away from advancing floodwater.
Before Evacuation
- Monitor media sources on a battery-powered radio or online at websites like weather.com for the latest information.
- Keep your emergency disaster kit nearby, as well as sleeping bags in the event you have to leave suddenly.
- Report your status to an emergency contact person not affected by the flood.
- Keep kids and pets inside.
- Keep cash and credit cards on hand and fill the car with gasoline.
If Evacuation Is Ordered
- Shut off utilities.
- Secure all doors and windows.
- Take your emergency disaster kit with you when you go including sleeping bags.
- Monitor the car radio for additional evacuation information.
During a Flood
- Don't walk into or contact floodwaters.
- Keep kids and pets out of floodwaters and away from storm drains and sewers.
- Don't try to take shortcuts through flooded streets. Don't stay with a stalled car in a flooded roadway. Abandon it and immediately get to higher ground.
For more advice on what to do in a flood or for help with water damage after the flood, contact Rytech.
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