House Flooding Natural Causes / Acts of God
It usually comes from a storm or hurricane although a dam break has caused many floods in the past. You should be aware of the common weather and what effect it is having in your area. Heed the warnings that you receive from your local government and news stations. Do what you can to protect your house and family. Be ready to evacuate by having your 72 Hour Kit handy. Also get your critical documents and pictures protected.
If your house is vulnerable to a river rising and overflowing, pay close attention to the information provided about your river and follow it to the flood stage. Once it begins to reach flood stage, with a warning that it is expected to go above flood stage - evacuate now while you can still drive on the road and over bridges!
Some Do’s and Don’ts that you should know
When you realize what you have to go through, do not panic –you need a calm and clear head to make rational decisions.
Know where, a specific pre-planned location which you are going to evacuate to, Hopefully, it is in the complete opposite direction of the river.
Put what you can in your car(s) of great value but don’t overload it and don’t forget your 72 Hour Kit!
Listen to the weather on the radio in case roads or bridges become closed as you drive to adjust your course.
DON’T DRIVE THROUGH WATER! DON’T EVEN BE TEMPTED! It can pick up your car and take it down stream or stall it in the middle. Find another route if you have to.
Do not try to return to your home until the water has resided, and a safety notice is given.
Once you are allowed back into your home (by local authorities), be aware that water carries nasty things. You may not like what you see, but be well aware of the microscopic things which are well on their way to spreading.
Never go into your house without proper gear; masks, rubber gloves and strong rubber boots. Always take off all clothes that have been contaminated before you enter your safe haven and then wash them with soap and bleach.
Call your Insurance Agent. Get scheduled for an adjustment at your home.
If your have had a lot of water damage, and it was there for a period of time, your house will need to dry out. Open all windows and get industrial blowers inside. You can’t sit back and wait for the insurance company to do it.
Some people will pull their carpet out and take off the sheetrock below the water line to help. Insulation is like a wick that takes water in but doesn’t let go of it. You may need to replace it.
Most insurance companies allow you to take measures to protect your home. Check with them if you are not sure.
Clean up can be a nasty, nasty job! Be careful if you do any of it yourself. Be properly protected.
Mud and slime are very hard to deal with, and cleaning it usually involves a professional disaster clean up crew. Get on the phone immediately to be on the top of the list. Keep good records for your insurance company, and that’s assuming you have coverage to be compensated.
Do not try to live in your home until the house has thoroughly dried and has been inspected by a certified mold and mildew inspector. This is a critical piece of the puzzle that most people forget to do.
If you are elderly or have handicaps, call upon your local community service agencies or your church for assistance.
Register immediately after the flooding with FEMA so that you can receive help as soon as possible from them too.
FEMA registration is done by phone, it is busy generally. Call them at 3:00 am though, and you will get through.
#1. You must provide your full name.
#2. You must provide proof of residency, some bills at your address.
#3. You must provide your social security numbers.
#4. You must provide your birth dates.
#5. FEMA must verify these before they send out someone for an inspection. The inspection is to see if your home can be made safe, secure and habitable. If not, they may provide A.L.E. (Alternate Living Expenses.)
Document every thing that you do – you never know when or where you will need it.
Help others, it will give you a great feeling of accomplishment!
How can you be better protected from widespread flooding?
Check with local authorities about best methods for your area.
Make sure that the ground around your house rises as it comes up to your foundation.
Make sure that any cracks in your foundation inside and out have been sealed by epoxy injection.
Put sand bags around the perimeter of your house as high as you believe it needs to be.
Place plywood on your doors or entry points and then put sand bags in front of it.
Retaining walls can be effective if the application is right. You will need additional expertise and research to find this out.
Before you evacuate, put everything that is too large to carry but is valuable up in a cabinet or on a counter.
Realize that water can and probably will move or float away anything not tied down.
Final suggestion: Pray that the water doesn’t rise above the protective measures you have taken.
ready for emergencies