Wealthy Living Flood Emergency

Expect the expected

It is important that you clearly understand and that you are aware of any damages that a flood could cause.  Some of these inevitabilities include boulders that are rolling, trees that are ripped right out from the ground, buildings that are destroyed as well as bridges, and sliding debris.

Take the time to ask important questions

It is also vital that you ask around your local zoning and planning office as to whether the property you are on is below the level of the flood or above it.  Also, it is always good to know if the area you are in has had a history of being flooded.  Many times this will be disclosed in the purchase contract of your new home. 

This knowledge helps greatly in the preparation of activities and tasks to do in case a flood does hit.

Familiarize yourself

In your own community, it is best that you familiarize yourself in any or all of the warning signals or signs whenever a flood does occur.  Learn as much as you can. 

Know your community’s plan for evacuation.  This helps you prepare yourself as well as your family and friends about what to do as well as the step by step drill. 

Have an insurance

It is helpful to have insurance that is tailored particularly for flood occurance.  Believe it or not, the insurance usually associated with home owners usually will not be able to reimburse any damages you may have that are caused by floods.

Keep all vital documents

These documents include any policies for insurance, passports, birth certificates, etc.  All these papers should – as much as possible – be kept in a box that is waterproof and one which could be accessed easily. 

Move specific items

If in case your fireplace, furnace, electricity panel or water heater is in the basement or 1st floor of your house, you could consider moving any of these up to the attic or second floor if at all possible.  In this way it will be a lot less probable for them to be damaged by raging floodwaters.

Plug it all

Plugging all trap sewers you have in your house, using check valves, actually prevents any floodwater from going into the drains of your house.  During emergencies, using large stoppers or corks is also a good idea to plug tubs and sinks.

Check and build

Check for the local building codes to find out whether it is okay to build walls for floods in order to form a  barriers around your home.  This will prevent any floodwater from getting into your premises.

Waterproof it all

In order to protect walls of basements, seal them using waterproof compounds so that floodwaters will not be able to get in through any cracks.

Have a radio and some supplies

Try to keep a radio that is operated by batteries in case the power goes off. Having supplies such as canned goods is a must as well as first aid kits.  Do not forget to include a can opener.

All in all, preparation is always the best defense against floods.