As Spring approaches, the huge piles of snow that fell on large portions of the country are beginning to melt. Add rain to it and you have a potential disaster. While you may not be able to stop the water, there are things you can do to remain safe.
When I was about fourteen, we had a flood on the farm. The water kept rising, and at one point we felt it best to leave the house and head for higher ground. I remember my mother agonizing about what to take and what to leave behind. As we watched the waters rising from a higher vantage point, I was equally surprised to see what floated by.
We were lucky; we had enough warning so we could actually take some of our belongings. We didn’t have animals that were in extreme danger and none of us were in a life threatening position. That’s not always the case.
After moving to California, I discovered how fast things can change and how dangerous floodwaters can be. There is usually at least one horrifying reminder of the deadly rampage floods cause every year.
Six Inches of Water: That’s all it takes to float your car into a swollen flood channel. The media and authorities point this out before every big storm, but still there are those who think “it can’t be that bad,” or “surely I can make it.” Unfortunately, many don’t make it. They die.
Sand Bags and K Rails: Those can do a lot if properly placed, but they can’t always prevent a flood from damaging a house. It’s best to have them in place before the water starts to rise, afterwards it could be too little, too late. You may find that placing plastic tarps under the sand bags and up the walls around it a help, also.
Evacuation: It might be irritating to be evacuated and have nothing happen, but it is infinitely preferable to the opposite outcome. When authorities order an evacuation, it’s your life they’re trying to protect. You may second guess them five times running, but that sixth time might not be so fortunate.
In this, you should also be aware that authorities may not know you’re in danger. This was the case for us on the farm. No one told us to evacuate, but it became apparent that we were in danger, and we left. Even if there is no evac order, if you feel threatened trust your judgement.
After the Flood: This is not going to be about how to contact your insurance company, etc. It’s about practical things that you’ll need to know and do to safeguard both you and your family. First, if you haven’t had a tetanus shot recently, get one. Who knows what you’re going to be stepping on or working with. If the local health department recommends other vaccinations, they know what they’re doing. I could describe what’s in that water, but this is a family friendly article.
Clean up is going to be hard, stinky and dangerous. Wear proper gear at all times. After a flood, there are organizations that will offer cleaning supplies and other things that will help. Volunteers may also come to lend a hand. That will be helpful.
Some things will be salvageable. If it can be scrubbed and disinfected, it could be saved. Some furniture may fit into this, but if it has padding and a lot of cloth, probably not. If you’ve had enough warning, hopefully those got put up in a higher area and didn’t get damaged.
If you live along a river (this usually only pertains to those in the East of the U.S.), be aware that some of the river denizens may be in your house. I’ve heard of people being stung by catfish as they stood in their flood living rooms. In the South, you may have an added difficulty in creatures like poisonous snakes.
Floods are devastating events, but knowing what to do before, during and after one can make it a little less traumatic.