How can we better prepare our homes for flooding?
With all the flooding that is going on in the U.S., do you have any tips on how to prepare our homes?
Your question has impeccable timing. Not only are families struggling to make ends meet, now they could be displaced due to the flood plains. 90% of the damage related to all natural disasters (excluding droughts) is caused by floods and debris flows. There are some protective measures that you can take to prepare your home before a flood threatens.
To prepare for a flood, you should:
- Avoid building in a flood plain unless you elevate and reinforce your home.
- Elevate the furnace, water heater, and electric panel if susceptible to flooding.
- Install “check valves” in sewer traps to prevent flood water from backing up into the drains of your home.
- Construct barriers (levees, beams, flood walls) to stop floodwater from entering the building.
- Seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.
- Have a disaster plan in place and store disaster supplies in a cool, dry spot away from any possible flood areas.
If a flood is likely in your area, you should:
- Listen to the radio or television for information.
- Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.
- Be aware of streams, drainage channels, canyons, and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without such typical warnings as rain clouds or heavy rain.
- Do not hide in the basement. If a flash flooding occurs, basements can quickly become death traps.
You can read more on this disaster concern here. I hope this helps.
Thanks again for your question.
Tess Pennington is the author of The Prepper’s Blueprint, a comprehensive guide that uses real-life scenarios to help you prepare for any disaster. Because a crisis rarely stops with a triggering event the aftermath can spiral, having the capacity to cripple our normal ways of life. The well-rounded, multi-layered approach outlined in the Blueprint helps you make sense of a wide array of preparedness concepts through easily digestible action items and supply lists.
Tess is also the author of the highly rated Prepper’s Cookbook, which helps you to create a plan for stocking, organizing and maintaining a proper emergency food supply and includes over 300 recipes for nutritious, delicious, life-saving meals.
Visit her web site at ReadyNutrition.com for an extensive compilation of free information on preparedness, homesteading, and healthy living.
This information has been made available by Ready Nutrition
share this article with others
Leave A Comment...
Ready Nutrition Home Page