Flooding is a grave threat to citizens all over the US in all months of the year. More casualties occur during flooding in comparison to other thunderstorm-related hazards. On top of that, 75% of the presidential disaster declarations conveyed throughout the years were due to flooding.
Flooding poses a host of different dangers. From the strong hurricanes that continue for several days and heavy rain accumulating over a short period to debris that causes various water channels to overflow to their surrounding areas, flooding can endanger homes and commercial establishments.
Apart from unprecedented natural phenomena, flooding can also happen from inside the house. This threat often comes to fruition when there are leaky or broken pipes causing the water to overflow around the house.
Nevertheless, flooding can lead to irreversible damages to your property. It can also lead to long-term effects that can damage the health of your loved ones. Make sure to consider the following steps to keep your family protected before, during, and after flooding takes place.
What Should You Do Before a Flood?
If the storm threats are looming and you live within a flood-prone area of San Juan Capistrano, CA, it is always better to prepare for the worst than to be caught off-guard. Here is what you need to do before a flood:
- Build an emergency flood relief kit for you and your loved ones. This kit consists of emergency essentials like batteries, portable radio, mobile phone, blankets, warm clothes, toiletries, torch, matches, and a first aid kit. You should also add bottled water and some non-perishable food items that can last for a couple of weeks or months.
- Talk to your loved ones about the steps you need to do when flooding takes place. Create a communication plan that can maintain close contact with one another if you get separated.
- In preparation for a flood, transfer water heaters and electric panels in elevated areas.
- Consider the installation of Check Valves to avoid floodwater from getting into the drains of your house. This device stops flood from entering the plumbing systems and soaking all of your belongings. It would also be best if you make sure to have your basement walls sealed with a waterproof sealant.
What Should You Do During a Flood?
The first thing that you need to do during a flood is to not panic. Focus on keeping you and your loved ones safe following these steps:
- Keep yourself updated with the progress of the flood through television, radio, and the internet. Make sure to get all of the news coverage that you need to determine the catastrophe’s extent.
- During hurricanes and tropical storms, flash flooding within low-lying areas tend to happen. Flash floods caused by heavy rain occur in streams, rivers, and drainage channels. There are also instances when flash floods take place without heavy rains. It is imperative to stay updated and evacuate in elevated areas or seek help from the public authorities to move.
- If you still can, bring everything that you need along with you. Transfer heavy items and furniture to the upper floor to prevent them from being soaked into floodwater.
- Before you leave for evacuation, make sure to turn off the main switches. You should also unplug any electrical appliances and move them away from the socket to prevent electrocution. Otherwise, avoid contact with any electrical equipment if you are wet or submerged in water.
What Should You Do After a Flood?
After the tragedy, it is finally time to recover. It is important to keep in mind that even though the flood has already subsided, there are still potential risks. Here is everything that you need to do to have your recovery process underway:
- Before you decide to return home, make sure that everything is already safe. There might still be flash floods that can happen at any time, so you must stay updated with your local authorities’ warnings. In other words, it is only safe to return home when the local authorities say so.
- On your way home, you may notice some barricades along roads that indicate damages or areas submerged in floodwater. It is not advisable to go through these roads, so it is best to look for alternate routes.
- There is a possibility that the foundation of commercial establishments has weakened after the disastrous event. Make sure to enter these buildings with caution.
- Similarly, the flooding might have also weakened the foundation of most roads. Enter these areas with caution, considering that these roads could collapse under the weight of a car.
Keep Yourself and Your Loved Ones Healthy Despite the Unprecedented Events
Floods can damage your assets, properties, and even your well-being. It is integral that you look after yourself and your loved ones in these trying times. Focus on bouncing back and cleaning up towards recovery.
- Prevent contact with floodwaters at all costs. Floodwater quickly gets contaminated with bacteria and viruses from sewage, rivers, septic tanks, and other water channels.
- Keep yourself updated with the latest information about the flooding. Determine if the water supply is safe to drink or has contracted hazardous bacteria.
- Clean and disinfect all belongings before transferring them to another place to dry up.
- Before performing any repair, turn off the main electrical fuse, even if your community doesn’t have power. This prevention allows you to decide on your own when it is safe to turn back the power when everything else has subsided and dried up.
- Recovery takes one step at a time. Make sure to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy during the process.
- Don’t hesitate to reach out to your insurance company or the public authorities for help.
- Always coordinate with repair contractors like those from A1 Emergency Services. They offer professional repair and cleanup services to help people restore their homes from water damage. Composed of a team of expert water restoration specialists, homeowners residing in San Juan Capistrano, CA, and nearby areas can recover in no time.