How to Handle a Flood Before, During, and After.

8/12/2020 (Permalink)

We have been dealing with a lot of rain this summer. Which means many people will be dealing with some type of flooding issue. Floods can happen at anytime, and be caused from a variety of circumstances. Whether it's from all the rain we have been getting, or from an inside source in the building. SERVPRO of Western Lehigh County wants to provide a list of safety tips for before, during, and after a flood.

Before

• Make sure any cracks or openings to the building are sealed securely.
• Clean out all gutters, drains, and downspouts.
• If there is a sump pump in the building, make sure it is working properly, and have an automatic secondary backup.  Sump Pump failure is one of the biggest causes of floods in basements.
• Create an emergency plan with a designated meeting place

During

• Move any valuables or items that you don't want damaged to a higher area.
• Shut off electrical, furnace, gas and water, and disconnect appliances if safe.
• If serious enough not only move items to raised area, but move yourself to higher ground or evacuate the building safely. 
• Always remain calm and listen for any updates if the flooding is serious enough
• If you are driving never drive through moving water.  Although you think you can make it, water is much stronger than you think. 

After

• Clean, disinfect and dry every flood-contaminated room.
• Look for signs of mold contamination.
• Keep fans running to dry affected areas
• Remove pooled water and damaged materials
• Report the damage to your insurance provider and local municipality.

Hopefully these tips will help you stay safe when floods do occur. Don't forget that you can count on SERVPRO of Western Lehigh County to be there to help with all the after affect cleanup. This means removing any standing water, properly drying the water damaged areas, and making sure no mold begins to grow.