How to Prepare for a Flood Part Two

In part one you learned how to begin your preparations for dealing with a possibility of flooding in your area. Here are the tips of how to begin to flood-proof once you have received a flood warning.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. 

   Store all outside possessions inside the garage or house or tie them down securely. Include outside furniture, garbage cans, garden implements, and other moveable objects.

2. 

   Close all windows, doors, vents, and other openings. Board up windows so they won't break with high winds, flying objects, or water.

3. 

   If you have a second floor, move furniture and everything possible to the top. Disconnect any electrical appliances or equipment that cannot be moved.

4. 

   Place sandbags around doors and other entrances. Planking covered with plastic should be used on outside of foundation. Do not sandbag around the outside walls of the house to keep flood waters out of the basement. Water seeping down through the earth (either around the sandbags or over them) may collect around the basement walls and under the floor, and this will create pressure that could damage the walls or possible raise the entire basement and cause it to "float" out of the ground.

5. 

   Plug or cap off all basement plumbing fixtures, showers, and drain outlets. Turn off all utilities at the main power switch and shut off the main gas valve if you are evacuating.

6. 

   When evacuating do not drive where water is over the road. The road could be washed out underneath. If the car stalls, abandon it as quickly as possible.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan ahead! Don't wait until the last minute.

[ruth0046]

on 3/19/2009 Luckily it wasn't that bad for me but I know some people who lost their house to water. You don't ever think it will happen to you...