After a flood, rest and relieve emotional stress before inspecting property. Notify insurance company and avoid throwing away damaged property. Stay away from remaining flood water and wait for it to recede before entering. Exercise caution when entering building and clean and disinfect wet property. Dry out home to reduce mold and mildew damage. Contact government and voluntary agencies for assistance with expenses and creating an action plan.
In addition to the damage to physical property, flooding can be very harsh on a person’s emotions. Therefore, one of the most important things to do after a flood is to take time to rest and relieve emotional stress. If you’ve been up all night due to a flood, for example, it’s best to avoid rushing to your property in the morning to inspect it. Instead, try to get some sleep or at least get some rest first. If you arrive feeling excessively tired, you may be overwhelmed by the damage.
Gather your insurance documents and contact your insurance company to notify a representative of the flood. While it may take some time for your insurance company to schedule a visit to your property and assess the damage, notifying the company immediately will get the wheels rolling, possibly saving you from having to wait a long time. Additionally, your insurance company may be able to suggest things you should do, as well as things you should avoid. For example, your insurance company may not want you to throw away your damaged property, such as clothing, furniture, and electronics. Instead, he may suggest that you take pictures of the damaged property or allow an insurance representative to view the damage before disposing of it.
Watch the news or listen to radio reports after a flood. News reports can provide information about whether or not the water is safe to drink in your community, as floods can sometimes cause drinking water to become contaminated. You may also hear reports of rushing water, collapsed power lines, weakened bridges and other structures that could pose a hazard as you try to get home. Do not attempt to return to the flooded property until it is safe to do so.
After a flood, it’s very important to stay away from any remaining flood water. It is possible that they contain things that are dangerous to health, such as sewage and chemicals. It’s also possible that a disrupted power line or underground electrical source caused the water to become electrically charged, creating a risk of electric shock. If your building is surrounded by flood water, you will need to wait for the water to completely recede before entering.
When entering a building after a flood, exercise extreme caution and be prepared to act immediately if the structure begins to appear unstable. There may be hidden damage in a flooded building, especially in the foundation, which could cause parts of the structure to collapse. When you enter, you will need to clean and disinfect the property that has gotten wet if you intend to keep it. This is because flood water can leave residues of sewage, dirt and potentially dangerous chemicals on your property. Don’t forget to clean the floors and shelves, too; wear rubber gloves, long sleeves, and long pants while working, keeping hands and other parts of the body safe from contaminants.
You will also need to dry out your home after a flood. By doing this, you can help reduce the amount of damage that mold and mildew can cause. These things thrive in damp conditions and some types of molds can be hazardous to your health. You can use high-powered fans to dry your house, and leaving the door open might work as well.
If you’ve been forced to waste time at work or staying in a hotel after a flood, you may need help managing your expenses. Contact government agencies, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and voluntary agencies, such as the Red Cross, to see what help is available. Even if you have flood insurance, these organizations may be able to offer you some assistance. Likewise, they can be helpful in providing information that is helpful in creating an action plan for repairing your home or other property following a flood.
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