Flooding has become an increasingly common issue in various regions, posing a real risk to homes and communities. While no one wants to imagine facing such a scenario, being prepared can make a significant difference. This guide offers practical advice on what to avoid during a flood, helping you stay safe and manage the situation as effectively as possible.
Wait to Seek Help
If your area is at serious risk of flooding or is already going underwater, don’t wait for the situation to worsen before seeking help. Call emergency services or use designated emergency channels to ask for assistance or rescue as soon as you notice signs of danger. Waiting too long can put you at a greater risk of injury or death.
Attempt to Cross Flooded Roads
Flooded roads are extremely dangerous. Attempting to cross them or flooded bridges can cause you to get swept away by strong currents, injured by debris, or even put you at risk of drowning. Flood water can also conceal other threats, such as sinkholes and washed-out roads.
Enter Flooded Basements or Crawl Spaces
While you may be tempted to go into your basement to gather food or supplies, this can put you at serious risk. During floods, basements and crawl spaces become some of the most dangerous parts of your house, as they become flooded most quickly and can contain hidden hazards such as contamination, structural damage, and electrical dangers.
Underestimate the Power of Flood Waters
You should never underestimate the power of floodwaters. Even shallow water that appears calm can be surprisingly powerful and potentially deadly. As mentioned earlier, just a few inches of water can be enough to sweep you off your feet and put you at risk of drowning.
Leave Pets Behind
While you may be in a hurry to leave your home as quickly as possible, you should always remember to take your pets with you. While some pets may be pretty hardy, they’re still at significant risk of injury and drowning during serious flooding events.
Rely Solely on Social Media for Information
While social media can be somewhat helpful in pointing you in the right direction for important news, you should not use it as your sole source of information. Social media can often be a source of misinformation that could land you in greater danger.
Forget to Secure Important Documents and Valuables
Before you evacuate your home, make sure to secure any important documents and valuables, such as insurance policies, identification, financial records, jewelry, heirlooms, and electronics. If your home is at risk of flooding, it’s a good idea to research methods of protecting these items from water damage.
Stay in Unsafe Buildings
Certain buildings can be much less safe than others during flood events. Flood water can degrade the structural integrity of buildings, which can lead to collapse and damage from falling debris. If your home is in this state, you should evacuate and seek help as soon as possible.
Disregard Warning Signs
Warning signs are there for a reason. They are used to convey important information about the potential risks of flooded areas and other hazards, helping to prevent injuries and accidents. Always pay attention to these signs to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you.
Panic or Lose Control
Flood events can be incredibly scary, so it’s understandable that many people feel a sense of panic or loss of control. However, as noted by RMC Nagpur, it’s important to stay as calm and focused as possible to preserve your safety and survival. Take deep breaths, assess your situation, and focus on the steps you need to take to protect yourself and those around you.
Delay Clean-Up and Recovery Efforts
Of course, you should take some time to recollect yourself once the flood event is over. However, it shouldn’t take too long to begin your clean-up and recovery efforts. Getting to these tasks promptly will help minimize damage and reduce the spread of mold growth.
Forget to Check on Neighbors and Vulnerable Individuals
There’s safety in numbers. When everybody takes the chance to check up on their neighbors and vulnerable individuals who live nearby, the risk of casualties and fatalities will be significantly reduced. Assess the situation of those around you and offer any help you can without putting yourself in too much danger.
Ignore Evacuation Orders
Carefully listening to and following evacuation orders is critical in the case of a flood. Your local authorities will thoroughly evaluate the situation and give you advice based on your specific whereabouts. Failing to follow these orders can put your life at risk and hinder response efforts.
Drive or Walk Through Flood Waters
You should avoid walking or driving through flood waters as much as possible. Doing so can be extremely dangerous, as the water can be much deeper and faster-moving than it initially appears. According to the National Weather Service, just six inches of fast-moving water can knock over an adult, while 12 inches can carry away most cars.
Stay in Low-Lying Areas
As you’d expect, low-lying areas are the most prone to flooding. Therefore, it’s important to move to higher ground as soon as possible once the water starts rushing in. Staying in lower areas can put you at a much greater risk of injury or even death.
Use Electrical Appliances or Electronics
You should not use any electrical appliances or electronics during a flood unless absolutely necessary (and only if you’re sure they won’t make contact with water). Doing so can put you at risk of electrocution, which could lead to serious injury or death. Electrical Safety First recommends that once flood water enters your home, you should switch off the main power supply and keep it off until it is deemed safe by professionals.
Ignore Health and Hygiene Practices
It’s easy to forget about the importance of your health and hygiene during a flood. However, flood water can be contaminated with many dangerous substances that can pose a serious risk. Therefore, you should wash your hands frequently and not ingest any food or drink that may have been contaminated.
Neglect to Plan for Future Floods
Once your area has flooded, you know it’s very possible that it can happen again in the future. Therefore, it’s a good idea to take proactive steps that can mitigate associated risks and ensure your safety in the future. Consider investing in flood insurance and flood-resistant defenses.