Flood safety tips

Large geographical area in the Indian subcontinent is routinely flooded during every monsoon period, causing massive loss of life, property, and infrastructure. These losses can however be averted by strengthening early warning, land use restrictions, prevention, mitigation, and preparedness measures. Mass awareness, and voluntary compliance of safety norms hold the key to bringing forth flood resilience amongst communities.    

Before a flood

• Educate yourself of the flood risks in your area.
• Avoid building in flood prone areas unless you elevate, and reinforce your home.
• Find a fast and safe route to high ground from your home, place of work, and school.
• Know the safe routes to nearest shelter/raised pucca house.
• Be aware of the transportation routes that may be closed in case of flooding.
• Contact officials to find out if they are planning to construct barriers (levees, beams and floodwalls) to stop floodwater from entering the homes in your area.
• Buy flood insurance; most homeowners’ policies do not cover flood damage.
• Create a list of the contents in your house complete with photographs. This would be useful for flood insurance claims, and tax deductions following a flood event.
• Put together an emergency flood kit which should include: a first aid kit with essential medicines, drinking water, a rain coat, an umbrella, pair of sturdy waterproof shoes, a flashlight, batteries, non-perishable food, a portable radio, a can opener, blankets, and warm clothing.
• Store enough ready-to-eat food, and water for at least a week.
• Elevate the furnace, water heater, and electric panel if susceptible to flooding.
• Install “Check Valves” in sewer traps to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains of your home.
• Seal the walls in your basement with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.
• Store your valuables, and toxic materials in higher areas of your house.
• Prepare a family communications plan.

If a flood is likely to hit your area

• If there is sufficient time, protect your home with sandbags, plastic sheeting, and plywood. Remember sandbags should not be stacked against the building.
• Be alert – Listen to radio, watch TV, read newspapers for weather updates.
• Ignore rumours, stay calm, and don’t panic.
• Stock bathtubs and sinks with fresh water.
• Turn off all utilities.
• Be aware of flash flood areas such as canals, streams, drainage channels.
• Stay available – Keep your mobile phones charged for emergency communication; use SMS.
• Don’t ignore animals – Keep cattle/animals untied to ensure their safety.
• Survival is key – Check the emergency kit, and ensure that it has all essential items for safety, and survival including water purification tablets, and necessary medicine, and drugs.
• Save your valuables – Keep your documents, and valuables in water-proof bags.
• Review your family communications plan.
• Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons, and other areas that are known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without typical warnings during spells of heavy rain.
• If there is a possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.
• Evacuate immediately to safe places when directed by officials.

Prepare to evacuate

• Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture, and move essential items to an upper floor.
• Raise furniture, appliances on beds, and tables.
• Turn off utilities, power, water, and gas, at the main switches or valves.
• Disconnect electrical appliances.
• Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
• Put sandbags in the toilet bowl, and cover all drain holes to prevent sewage backflow.
• Clean, and disinfect everything that got wet.

While evacuating

• Take advise of authorities on safe evacuation routes.
• Inform neighbours, and authorities about your travel plan, and destination.
• Take the emergency kit, first aid box, valuables, and important documents with you.
• Valuable household articles/documents, and others can be tied to a high roof or concealed with polythene in deep under ground for safety.
• Move to a higher ground / safe shelter.
• Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving water can make you fall.
• If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving.
• Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
• Do not enter deep, unknown waters; use a stick to check water depth.
• Do not drive into flooded areas.
• If floodwaters rise around your car, abandon the car, and move to higher ground if you can do so safely. You, and the vehicle can be quickly swept away.
• Come back home only when officials ask you to do so.

During a flood event

• Don’t take risk – Don’t enter flood waters. In case you need to, wear suitable footwear.
• Pay attention to the local weather forecast, and flood warnings.
• Watch your step – Stay away from sewerage lines, gutters, drains, culverts, and the like.
• Don’t get electrocuted – Stay away from electric poles, and fallen power lines to avoid electrocution
• Remain healthy – Eat freshly cooked or dry food.
• Keep your food covered
• Evade Illness – Drink boiled/chlorinated water
• Ensure cleanliness – Use disinfectants to keep your surroundings clean
• Avoid flooded areas; do not attempt to walk, swim or drive through a flooded area.
• If trapped in your home, move to the upper stories of the house, and the roof if necessary. Wait for help to reach you.
• Stay away from electrical equipment in wet areas.
• If your car is stuck in a flooded area, abandon your car as fast as possible, and move quickly to higher ground.
• Mark any open drains or manholes with visible signs; red flags or barricades.

 After a flood

• Do not use food, water, and medicine contaminated by the flood waters.
• Do not use tap water until the authorities advise that it is safe.
• Be aware of hazards caused by structural damage to buildings.
• Turn off all utilities if you have not already done so.
• Do not use open flames when searching your home after a flood because of possible gas leaks.
• Electrical outlets, and wiring need to be checked by a professional before usage. Remember that electrocution is the biggest flood killer after drowning.
• Dispose of contaminated carpeting, and drywall.
• Be careful about drying wooden items in the sun because warping may occur.
• Do not pump out flood water from basements all at once. Pump out about one-third of the water per day.
• Document all flood loss for flood insurance, government assistance, and tax deduction purposes.
• Pay attention to local news for information on any financial assistance available from the state. If access to the internet is available, use NDMA / SDMA website for up-to-date information on disaster assistance.
• Protect children – Do not allow children to play in or near flood waters.
• Don’t use any damaged electrical goods; get them checked.
• Watch your step – Watch out for broken electric poles, and wires, sharp objects and debris.
• See what you eat – Do not eat food that has been in flood waters.
• Mosquitoes can kill – Use mosquito nets to prevent malaria.
• Use clean water – Don’t use the tap water or water from nearby source unless these are declared safe by authorities.
• If instructed, turn off utilities at main switches, and unplug appliances – do not touch electrical equipment if wet.
• Be careful of snakes as snake bites are common during floods.
• Don’t use the toilet or tap water if the water lines / sewage pipes are damaged.