What To Do After A Flood

11/28/2017 (Permalink)

Make sure you know what to do after a flood to restore your home back to the way it was before the storm.

11/28/2017

Floods are one of the most common natural disasters in North America, but not all floods are alike. Some develop gradually after days of slow, steady rain while others are flash floods resulting from a deluge of rain or dam failure. Homes in South Palm Beach and the surrounding areas are near sea level, making flooding more likely than in other areas.

Storms can cause severe damage to your home—potentially even making them unsafe! SERVPRO is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week you can call us at (954) 725-6400 to get immediate help.

What You Should Do After a Flood

Even if you were properly prepared for the flood and weathered the storm until it passed, your home could still have sustained heavy damage. Now that the sky is blue once more, how do you proceed? Here’s a look at what to do after a flood:

Be Cautious

Just because the sun is shining and the flood waters have receded, that doesn’t mean all danger has passed. Exercise caution by doing the following:

• Tune into local alerts and warning systems to stay up-to-date with current information and receive expert, informed advice about the flood. After all, additional flooding could still occur.
• Stay away from rushing water. Moving water only 6 inches deep can sweep you off your feet.
• Avoid walking through large areas of standing water, which may be electrically charged by downed power lines. The water could also be hiding broken glass or dangerous animals.
• Unless you are specifically asked for help by the police, fire department, or relief workers, keep out of damaged areas.
• Help emergency workers by staying off the roads in and out of the damaged neighborhood or region.
• If you’re caught in a stalled car during a flash flood, abandon the car and get to higher ground immediately.
• Heed barricades and find an alternate route if you encounter one blocking your way. Crossing bridges even after the water has receded could be dangerous if the structural integrity has been jeopardized.
• Return home only when the authorities permit it. Even then, stay out of the building if it’s surrounded by flood waters and exercise extreme caution when you do enter.

Stay Safe and Healthy

Take care of you and your family as cleanup efforts begin. To stay safe and healthy, remember the following:

• Turn off the home’s electricity at the main breaker box, even if the power is out. Only turn the power on when your home is dry.
• Avoid floodwater, which may be contaminated with sewage, gasoline, or oil.
• Fix damaged sewer systems as soon as possible.
• Don’t drink water from the tap. Listen to news reports to learn when the community’s water is safe to drink again.

Clean and Repair Your Home

• Use the information in the Repairing Your Flooded Home PDF from the Red Cross to learn how to enter your home safely, protect your belongings from future damage, record damage for insurance claims, check for gas leaks, and begin the cleanup process.
• Contact your insurance agent to discuss your claim.
• Hire a professional water damage mitigation company as soon as possible. It’s important that the company is qualified for the services you need. SERPVRO is available 24/7 to help when you need it most. Not only are we a local command center, but we also have the resources of 1,600 franchises nationwide—meaning no disaster is too big.