Be Ready For Flooding

9/16/2020 (Permalink)

If you are under a flood warning, seek shelter immediately:

• Walking, swimming, or driving through floodwaters is incredibly dangerous. Just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your car away. 
• Stay off bridges over fast-moving water, there is a higher risk the bridge will collapse.
• Evacuate if told to do so, move to higher ground or a higher floor

Prepare Now:

• Make a plan for where you and your family will go during a flood situation. When choosing a location make sure it is safe from floodwater and COVID-19.
• Have a go-kit with clothes, non-perishable foods, medications, and other necessities. 
• Sign up for community alerts to notify you in case of an emergency.
• Purchase or renew flood insurance for your home. Keep in mind it can take up to 30 days for a flood policy to go into effect, so plan ahead. 
• Keep important documents in a water and fire-proof container.
• Protect important items by moving them to higher levels.

Be Safe After:

• Return home only after authorities say it is safe.
• Avoid driving except in emergencies, keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles. 
• Watch for snakes and other animals that may have entered your home during a flood. 
• Be aware of electrocution risk, turn off electricity, and don’t touch anything with power. 
• Mold can grow quickly and easily in wet environments, be careful when entering your home after a flood. 
• Call SERVPRO of South Mecklenburg County at 704-840-6112 to come and remove the water in your home. 

Source: https://www.ready.gov/floods