Severe Weather 102 - Post Flood...

In our last installment we looked at what you should do to prepare yourself and your home for a flood emergency.  Now we are going to assume the worst is over, the storm has passed, and the flood waters have receded.  In the words of the fish in the baggies floating in the ocean at the end of FINDING NEMO, “Now what?”

Remember, just because the storm is over does not mean that the danger has passed.  Extreme care needs to be taken when returning to your home or business, as carelessness can serve to make a bad situation worse.

For starters, don’t be in a hurry.  Do not return to your home until the all clear has been given by local emergency management or whoever the authorities in your situation happen to be. 

Don’t forget to be a good neighbor.  Keep a look out for those who may require special assistance. 

Avoid areas where flood waters may still be standing, keep an eye out for any downed power lines, and report them to the proper authorities.

When you get back to your property, resist the urge to go in right away.  Look around the exterior for damage and to make sure the building is structurally sound.  Remember that flood waters can literally shift a building on its foundation, making it prone to collapse.  You do not want to risk the whole thing coming down on top of you.

If the utilities were not turned off before you left, do so at this time.  Remember that water and electricity do not mix, and it only takes a spark to ignite a leaky gas line with unfortunate consequences.

Throw away any food that has come in contact with flood waters.  Just automatically consider any such food items as contaminated.

If your basement is flooded, pump the water out slowly, at the rate of about a third a day.  Any faster and you run the risk of serious structural damage to your property.

Take care of damaged septic tanks or sewage systems as soon as possible, as these can pose a serious health hazard if left unattended. 

Try to avoid coming into contact with flood waters, since you never know what kind of contaminates it may contain.  Again, always assume the water is contaminated and shower/wash clothes if you do happen to get wet.

You may find yourself in need of assistance with shelter or food, so stay tuned to your local radio or TV station for details on where to go for aid. 

Properly document the damage to your home through the use of photo or video recording.  This will prove invaluable when having to deal with your homeowners insurance. 

Of course, the cleanup process following a flood is going to be quite a bit beyond your ability to handle.  Water Damage Local.com is available 24/7 and can take care of even the most severe flood damage problems.  Our network of IICRC certified professionals can take care of everything from water removal and drying, to carpet cleaning and mold removal, and even structural repair and restoration. 

Call our professionals today and have your home and your life back as soon as possible.