Experiencing a flash flood is mind-daunting, leaving you feeling afraid and overwhelmed, especially if you are the victim of significant flooding with extensive damage to your home. Cleanup isn’t always straightforward and can be dangerous, especially when dealing with electricity and contaminated water. Fortunately, the experts at Disaster Services are available 24/7 to provide emergency water, fire & mold disaster response services.
What is the Immediate Action to Be Taken After a Flood?
Know when it is Safe to Return Home – Keep up with what’s happening in your area. Listening to the local radio station or weather radio for information during flood recovery is essential. Flood dangers may still be present even after the water has started to recede. Your local news outlets will inform you when returning to your property or going outside is safe.
Watch for Electrical Damage – Look for signs of electrical damage, such as broken wires or burning insulation, or if you can smell smoke. Turn off your electricity at the circuit breaker if it is safe. If in doubt, contact a licensed electrician for advice. If you notice a strong gas smell or hear a loud hissing sound, leave the area immediately and call 911.
Don’t Drink Water – Don’t drink tap or well water until you are told it is safe. The water in your home could be contaminated with human waste and other pollutants. Don’t even use the water to wash your hands. To begin the cleanup process, use water mixed with bleach. Bleach kills most types of bacteria. The ratio is eight drops of unscented liquid bleach per gallon of water. Let the water stand for at least 30 minutes before using.
Avoid Areas Affected By Flooding – Flood barricades are installed to protect you and your family from hazards such as flash floods, road damage, and dangerous debris that may not be immediately visible. It’s imperative to stay away from moving water. As little as six inches of fast-moving water can knock you down, and a few feet can carry away your car. Stay off the roads so you don’t hinder emergency response teams from reaching victims that need help. If you must venture outside, listen to the radio, wait until the water has stopped moving, wear sturdy closed-toed shoes or boots, and use a pole to check the depth of the water before proceeding ahead. Be vigilant and pay attention to hidden dangers such as objects and debris that are submerged and impossible to see, eroded roadways, and frightened animals. Never enter a building surrounded by floodwater until it is deemed safe.
Clean Up & Repair a Flooded Home
Contact your insurance company to discuss your insurance claim. Most standard homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Prevention is better than the cure. If you live in an area prone to flooding, talk to your insurance agent about your coverage options to prepare you before disaster strikes. Keep your radio on during flood recovery to stay informed and listen for information regarding disaster assistance programs, including temporary housing, bottled water, and food to help you recover.
Flood & Water Damage Restoration in Baytown, Pasadena, League City, Pearland, Missouri City, Sugar Land, Cypress, The Woodlands, Spring & Greater Houston, Texas
You are not alone if you feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do or where to start. The experts at Disaster Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing flood damage and mold remediation services in the Greater Houston, Texas, area. Our qualified disaster response technicians will determine the extent of the damage and customize a disaster response plan to get your home looking just like new. Call us today!
