Prepare for Flood
July 9, 2011 | Natural Environment
When flood comes rummaging through your house, your first priority should be the safety of your family and to minimize or eliminate property loss. But your chances of being safe are higher if you are prepared to handle circumstances as this. So, even before disaster strikes, here are some tips that you might want to check for flood preparation;
- First thing, find out if your area would be affected by the flood. Your local emergency management office or local Red Cross office would be able to help you with this information.
- If your home is prone to floods, store on essentials like sandbags, shovel, plywood and others.
- Secure your electrical boxes and electrical appliances including your water heater, furnace and electrical panel. Move furniture to high grounds. Unplug appliances that are too big to move.
- Close windows and board them up. Close vents, pet doors and other entrances.
- Cork off plumbing fixtures and drain outlets. Before evacuating, turn off main power switch and gas valve.
- Secure your valuables and seal your documents in water resistant envelopes or zip locks as you prepare for flood.
- Organize an emergency kit which should include a flashlight and fresh batteries, radio, a change of clothes, first aid medicines, food and water. The flood emergency kit is best kept in the car, in case you need to evacuate.
- Make sure you know where to evacuate in case of flood. List down names and phone numbers of family and friends that you can crash to. Provide each family member this list.
- Prepare your vehicle for an immediate move. This would be an awful time to be dealing with a stalled car. Abandon your car in case it did stall.
- Stay tuned to your local radio stations for updates and flood warnings.
Planning and being prepared for flood could save your family’s life and your own.