FLOODS AND YOURNatural

HOME Disasters

Protecting your home during flood situations can involve a variety During a Flood
of actions, from inspecting and maintaining the property to
installing protective devices or materials. • Stay informed.
□□ Listen to the radio or television for situation developments
Before A Flood and evacuation instructions.
□□ Do not ignore evacuation orders.
• Determine the risk of flooding for your area □□ Follow designated evacuation routes.
□□ The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/ • If you must evacuate,
□□ The National Weather Service □□ Ensure your family’s safety first.
http://www.weather.gov/ □□ Gather your emergency supply kit; take only essential
items with you.
• Identify potential hazards on your property. □□ Shut off electrical power and natural gas or propane tanks
□□ Know how to turn off electrical power, gas and to avoid fire, electrocution, or explosions.
water supplies.
□□ Secure unstable materials that are outside your home After a Flood
(e.g. patio furniture, fuel tanks).
□□ Protect your well by using heavy plastic and duct tape to • Return home only when officials have declared the
seal the well cap and top of the well casing. area safe.

• Protect your home. • Before entering - Assess the situation.

□□ Build with or install flood-resistant materials. □□ Assess the impact and areas of damage to your home.
□□ Buy and install sump pumps with backup power □□ Identify sharp objects, dangerous materials, downed
(e.g., battery-operated). power lines, damaged gas lines, or other hazards
□□ Install backflow valves or plugs to prevent flood water (e.g., chemical spills).
from entering. □□ If you smell natural or propane gas, or hear a hissing
□□ Place furnace, water heater, washer, dryer on cement noise, leave immediately and call the fire department.
blocks above projected flood elevation. □□ If power lines are down outside your home or buildings,
do not step in any standing water.
• Stockpile emergency building materials.
□□ Plywood, plastic sheeting, lumber, nails, hammer, saw, pry • Approach entrances carefully.
bar, sandbags, shovel. □□ Parts of your home or building structures may be collapsed
or damaged.
• Safeguard your possessions. □□ Check if porch roofs and overhangs have all their supports.
□□ Create a room-by-room inventory of your possessions,
include receipts and photos. • Keep power off until an electrician has inspected your
□□ Gather copies of critical documents, such as finance system for safety.
records, insurance policies. • Account for your inventory.
□□ Keep these lists in a secure place (e.g. safe deposit box, □□ Compare the list with the one prepared prior to the incident.
waterproof container). □□ Take photographs of all damage for insurance or emergency
• Flood insurance. assistance purposes.
□□ Obtain flood insurance • Contact your insurance company or the National Flood
□□ Most standard home owner insurance policies do not Insurance program to file your claim.
cover floods. □□ Your adjuster will need evidence of the damage to your
□□ The National Flood Insurance program is available in most home and possessions to prepare your claim.
areas. For more information www.floodsmart.gov □□ Keep accurate records listing all clean-up and repair bills,
flood-related living expenses and actual losses (furniture,
appliances, clothing, etc).

For more information and resources, see www.Prep4AgThreats.org June 2010

• Clean and disinfect items. • Prevent mold growth.
□□ Walls, hard-surfaced floors, and many other household □□ Remove any items that have been wet for more than
surfaces should be cleaned with soap and water and 48 hours, that cannot be thoroughly cleaned and dried.
disinfected with a solution of 1 cup of bleach to five □□ Porous items include carpeting, carpet padding, upholstery,
gallons of water. wallpaper, drywall, floor and ceiling tiles, insulation material,
□□ Thoroughly disinfect surfaces that may come in contact with some clothing, leather, paper, wood, and food --can remain
food, such as counter tops, pantry shelves, refrigerators, etc. a source of mold growth and should be removed from
□□ Areas where small children play should also be the home.
carefully cleaned. □□ When in doubt, take it out!
□□ Wash all linens and clothing in hot water, or dry clean;
Well and pump inspection.
For items that cannot be washed or dry cleaned,
□□ There is a danger of electrical shock from any electrical
(mattresses, upholstered furniture), air dry in the sun,
device that has been flooded.
then spray thoroughly with disinfectant.
□□ Do not turn on the pump and electrical system until
□□ Steam clean all carpeting. If there has been a backflow
equipment has dried and been checked by a qualified
of sewage into the house, wear rubber boots and waterproof
electrician, or well professional.
gloves during cleanup.
□□ Swiftly moving flood water can carry large debris that can
□□ Remove and discard contaminated household materials
damage the hardware, construction or casing of wells
that cannot be disinfected, such as wallcoverings, cloth,
and pumps.
rugs, and drywall.
□□ Flood water could have also entered the well and
• Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. contaminated it.
□□ Alternative sources of fuel or electricity for heating, cooling, □□ Well water should be sampled and tested for contamination
or cooking can cause carbon monoxide to build up in a prior to use for drinking, cooking or cleaning.
home, garage, or camper. □□ Call you state laboratory certification officer or contact the
□□ Never run a gas-powered equipment (generator, pressure Safe Drinking Water hotline (1-800-426-4791)
washer, engines) inside, even if the doors or windows http://www.epa.gov/safewater/hotline/index.html
are open.
• Septic systems.
□□ Avoid running gas-powered equipment near open
□□ Septic systems should not be used immediately after floods;
windows, doors, or vents where exhaust can enter indoor
drain fields will not work until water in the soil absorption
enclosed areas.
field is lower than the water level around the house.
• Clean up safely. □□ Floodwater may have also broken septic lines. Have your
□□ Be aware of hazards that may cause injury to you or septic tank professionally inspected and serviced; septic
others cleaning up - these can include chain saw or tanks may contain dangerous gases.
pressure washer injuries, electrical or chemical hazards,
heat exposure. Development of this educational material was by the Center for Food
□□ Have an electrician check the house’s electrical system Security and Public Health with funding from the Multi-State Partnership
before turning the power on again. for Security in Agriculture MOU-2010-HSEMD-004. June 2010.
□□ If the house has been closed up for several days. Enter
briefly to open doors and windows to let the house air
out for awhile (at least 30 minutes) before you stay for
any length of time.
□□ Presume your home has been contaminated with mold.
□□ Use fans and dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture.
Fans should be placed so air blows outwards rather
than inwards.
□□ Have your home heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning
(HVAC) system checked and cleaned by a maintenance
or service professional who is experienced in mold clean-up
before you turn it on.

For more information and resources, see www.Prep4AgThreats.org June 2010