How to Actively Prepare Your House for a Flood

As a Certified Emergency Responder, FEMA Trained, and ORSDF, I get questions on how to prepare for a flood.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Axe
• Blow-up raft with collapsible oars
• 4 ft. wet-bag
• 100 ft. 3/4 inch Rope
• 20 ft. rope
• Safety Vests and Gloves
• Flare Gun
• Beacon and Flashlight
• 6 MRE's
• 2 one gallon bleach jugs
• First Aid Kit

1. 
   Rafting Style Wet-Bag

   Rinse out 2 bleach jugs only once, lightly as you want some bleach left to preserve your water. Fill with water.
   Gather MRE's, Space Blanket, Flashlight, Vests, Beacon, Rope, Gloves, Flare Gun, First Aid Kit.
   Place in wet-bag.

2. 
   Raft with a tough bottom

   Fold up raft and tie it in a bundle.
   Tie Wet-Bag to the Raft.
   Tie the battery operated Portable Air-Compressor to the Raft.
   Slip your Axe into the ropes used to tie the raft.
   Tie a 20 ft. rope to the Raft and Bag Kit.
   Place all this in the attic of your house, pour baby powder all over it to preserve it. Pour Deacon all around it and on top of it to kill any mice that may try to chew on the stuff.

3. 

   When there is a flood, and you are trapped in your house, go to the attic. Chop a hole through the roof, big enough for the Raft/Bag Kit:
   Chop through the purlins (the 1x4's)
   Chop with the grain through the plywood.
   Chop through the tar paper and shingles. WEAR GOGGLES!

4. Tie the Raft/Bag Kit to a rafter and push it through the opening.
   Put on safety vests.
   Open the Raft and inflate.
   Secure the Wet-Bag inside the Raft.
   Wait on the roof until you absolutely have to bail off.

5. When you do have to bail off the roof, go to the leeward side of the house, that's the side opposite of where the current is running against the house. This will keep you from being sucked into the house or trapped under a porch (deadly hydraulics will suck you and the raft under).

6. Deploy everyone into the Raft and set up your oars. Loop out your rope and get ready to snag or catch onto a sturdy tree. Again, get to the leeward side of the tree. Pick a tree that is swaying a lot at the top, but a little at the waters edge.
   A tree that has no movement, will soon break it's roots and topple over on you, so pick wisely.
   DO NOT TIE INTO AN ELECTRICAL POLE.

7. 

   Turn on the beacon and tie it to the edge of the raft.
   Save the flare gun for the time when absolutely necessary to catch a rescue chopper's attention.

8. Wait in your raft until rescued. Do not drift around as you could easily be sucked under floating buildings and other objects.

Tips & Warnings

• Tie yourselves together, but not to the Raft.
• The strongest person should tie the Wet-Bag to himself.
• Stay with the Raft.
• Cold as it may sound, your responsibility is to your own family 1st, don't compromise them by attempting to rescue others, let the professionals do this.
• Stay on the leeward side of buildings and trees, they will slow the waters current.

[Cherrie]

on 11/17/2008 You are THE MAN of all trades to me and understand your business most carefully. My nephew survived with his little children in the house by nailing plywood against all windows. The roof lost some tiles, so that he needs a new roof. The water was high, but to get as high as an attic is pretty slim. Mainly trust in the Creator whether in your raft or where else.

[jpwriter]

on 11/2/2008 Great information, especially for this time of year in cities with poor drainage systems, big leaves falling from trees, and rain storms. Thanks for the good info.

[jonnysgirl]

on 10/31/2008 Very impressive. YOU ARE THE MAN!!!

[sunshine11219]

on 10/21/2008 Wonderful article

[Lindaperry]

on 10/19/2008 Your article is excellent. I would opt for getting out of the house BEFORE the water reaches attic, or the first floor. Prevention is much better than trying to row out after the fact. Good article. Smiles, we are leaving the house long before it reaches that high. But I am sure that there are some people who might want to prepare that way--those that live closer to the water, ocean or rivers.