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Water Flooding Safeguards
Flooding kills more people in the United States every year
than any other natural disaster. Water
is quite deceptive in appearance, and a calm surface can mask depth or
turbulence, causing people to try and walk through it with no regard for the
danger they are putting themselves in.
How can you protect yourself from becoming a flood
victim? Well, for starters, know the
risks. Find out if the area you live is
located in any sort of flood zone or near a flood plain. If so, plan an evacuation route in advance,
preferably one that leads to higher ground!
Pack a “go bag” for just such an emergency, with a change of
clothes for several days, extra cash, food, bottled water, a battery operated
radio with extra batteries, and anything else you may need.
Make sure you are adequately insured against flood damage;
most homeowner’s policies do not automatically cover flood damage, but coverage
can be obtained.
Move valuables and important documents to a higher level in
your home; do the same for electrical appliances.
In the event of a flood, evacuate. Trying to ride out a flood is suicide. Six inches of flowing water is enough to
knock over a grown man, and two feet can move a car. 23% of flood related deaths occur to people
who are in or attempting to abandon their car.
Similarly, don’t try to drive through flood waters. Again water can be deceptive, and what may
appear as a small stream crossing a road could effectively mask the fact that
the road has been washed away.
Finally, do not return to your home until the flood waters
have receded and the all clear has been given by local authorities
You do not want to become a statistic. Take the proper precautions.
