In the United States, people have lost over $260 billion in flood damage costs since 1980.
If you’ve had some bad rains or storms in your area recently, you may be wondering what to do when your house floods.
Thankfully, there are some helpful things you can do to stop it from getting worse.
Leave the House
One of the first things you should do is leave the house if it’s safe to do so.
If you have a flooded house because of a storm, you may not be able to leave or have anywhere else to go. But if your home is flooded due to a burst pipe or plumbing issue, it might be easier to get out.
It doesn’t matter where you go as long as you aren’t anywhere near the hazardous waters or any electric lines.
If there is a storm coming, you should consider leaving your house early. Check out these ways to prepare for a storm.
Turn off the Electricity
If there are downed power lines, the water can create an electric current that will shock you if you step in it.
Try and turn off the water if you can, but don’t go through the water in order to try and turn it off. If you can’t turn it off, call the electric company to see if they can do it for you.
Take Photos
Take photos of everything you can. You should take photos of all your valuables before your home floods if possible.
However, it’s just as important to take pictures and document everything after the fact as well. Do this before you start making repairs or getting rid of the water.
Gear Up
When you’re ready to start removing the water, get all the proper gear that you’ll need.
Flood water can be really dangerous due to whatever chemicals or waste is in it. If you’re going to wade into the water by yourself, ensure that you have the proper gear.
You’ll need gloves and possibly even a mask so that you don’t accidentally breathe it in either.
Remove the Water
Next, you’ll need to try and remove the water as best as you can. Depending on how bad it is, you may need to call someone else for help.
If it’s not bad enough, you can attempt to clean it yourself. While making sure you have the proper safety equipment is important, you’ll also need some tools to clean up the mess.
Find some fans, dehumidifiers, buckets, and a hose or vacuum if you have one. This can pump all the water out and then dry your house out afterward.
Learn More About What to Do When Your House Floods
These are only a few things to do when your house floods, but there are more steps after this as well.
If you’re in a flood zone, you may already have flood insurance on your house. If this is the case, you’ll likely want to call them and try to get some compensation for damages.
Our website can help you learn more about all of this! If you enjoyed this article, make sure that you explore our website to find more just like this one.
