|
If you’re caught in the flood:
| • |
If indoors, move to the second floor and, if necessary, to the roof.
|
| • |
Take warm clothing, a flashlight and portable radio
with you. Wait for help. Do not try to swim to safety. Rescue teams will be
looking for you.
|
| • |
Do not touch any electrical equipment unless it is
in a dry area and you are standing on a piece of dry wood while wearing rubber
gloves and rubber-soled boots or shoes.
|
Next:
| • |
Learn how to repair your home, check your insurance, apply for aid
and recover from flood damage.
|
| • |
The water’s gone, but the danger is not.
|
| • |
Listen to a radio or television, and don’t
return home until authorities indicate it is safe.
|
Check for damage:
| • |
Inspect foundations, walls, floors, doors and windows
for cracks or other damage. Is the building in danger of collapsing? If so, stay
out until you can have an engineer inspect it.
|
| • |
Stay out of buildings if flooding waters remain around
the building.
|
| • |
If you must enter buildings, use extreme caution.
|
| • |
Wear sturdy shoes.
|
| • |
Turn off outside gas lines at the meter or tank and let
the house air for several minutes to remove foul odors or escaping gas.
|
| • |
Check your utilities for leaks.
|
| • |
Use battery-powered flashlight. Gas still trapped inside
could be ignited by an oil lamp or candle.
|
| • |
Watch for electrical shorts or live wires before making
certain that the main power switch is turned off. Do not turn on any lights or
appliances until an electrician has checked the system for short
circuits.
|
| • |
Watch out for animals, especially poisonous snakes that
may have come into your home with the flooding waters. Use a stick to poke through
debris. Watch for loose plaster and ceilings that could fall.
|
| • |
Take pictures of the damage both to the house and its
contents for insurance claims.
|
Clean Up:
| • |
Throwaway food including canned goods that has come in
contact with flooding waters, which carry bacteria.
|
| • |
Throw out any previously opened medicine that has come
in contact with flooding waters.
|
| • |
Boil water for drinking and cooking for 10 minutes (until
the public water system has been declared safe again).
|
| • |
Pump out flooded basements gradually (about one-third of
the water per day) to avoid structural damage.
|
| • |
Contact your insurance agent.
|
|
