How to Prepare for a Flood in 2023: A Quick Guide

Floods occur when water accumulates more rapidly than it can drain away, often due to natural low points in the land, ineffective drainage systems, or heavy rainfall.

Various sources, including rain, snowmelt, coastal storms, and dam overflows, can cause floods. It may develop gradually or suddenly as flash floods, catching people off guard.

Floods can disrupt essential services, damage infrastructure, and trigger landslides. Therefore, it's crucial to be prepared for such events for several compelling reasons:

Safety First

 Preparedness can be a lifesaver and provide a sense of security. In the event of an evacuation order, you can quickly move to higher ground or an elevated floor if you are prepared for the situation.

Safeguarding Property

Time permitting, using resources like sandbags can help shield your home from floodwaters. General home insurance doesn't typically cover flood damage, so acquiring flood insurance is essential to protect your property.

Reducing Risk

The likelihood of experiencing a flood is higher than many other natural risks and calamities. For those residing in flood-prone areas, measures like building outside floodplains and elevating structures can significantly minimize potential harm and losses.

Mitigating Financial Burden: Flood damage can be financially devastating. To alleviate this burden, investing in flood insurance coverage and adopting preventive measures to lower the risk of property damage is recommended.

Instances Of Recent Floods And Its Impact

Recent flood instances across different regions have underscored the urgent need for robust resilience planning to protect lives and infrastructure. Here are notable examples of these floods and their impacts:

July 2023 Northeast Flash Floods (United States): Torrential downpours triggered flash floods in the Northeastern United States. These floods washed out roads, overwhelmed rivers, and necessitated 50 swift water rescues.

June 2023 Brazil Flooding and Landslides: An extra-tropical cyclone brought heavy rainfall to Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, leading to extensive flooding and landslides. Tragically, this event resulted in the loss of 11 lives and the displacement of thousands.

 May 2023 Southern California Winter Storms: Winter storms brought heavy rain that led to flooding incidents. High-water rescues were carried out, and trees were downed, causing property damage and potentially endangering lives.

August 2022 Unprecedented Flooding in the US: In August 2022, the United States experienced an unusual spate of flooding events. Some of these events had a statistical probability of occurring only once every 1,000 years.

Widespread Flooding in 2021 (United States): The year 2021 witnessed flooding affecting all 50 states and the District of Columbia in the United States. The cumulative impact of these flood-related disasters resulted in over $85 billion in economic losses and damages.These recent floods serve as stark reminders of the destructive power of water.

Implementing strategies to protect critical infrastructure and improve disaster response and recovery is crucial for minimizing the devastation caused by floods.

 Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit

The unforeseeable nature of floods highlights the significance of proactive preparation. Constructing a comprehensive emergency supply kit is a critical measure in such circumstances.

 The core components of your emergency supply kit should include sufficient quantities of nonperishable sustenance and bottled water to sustain your family for at least two weeks. It aligns with the recommendations set forth by the Red Cross for a well-equipped survival kit.

Other essential kit inclusions are battery-operated flashlights, lanterns, and an ample supply of blankets to counteract the ramifications of a potential power outage. Prioritize collecting hygiene products, extra batteries, and a comprehensive first aid kit. This can further enhance your readiness for any flood-specific contingencies.

Create a Safety Plan with Your Family

 A devastating flood can leave everything in turmoil. A well-structured safety plan ensures that your family is well-prepared and equipped to respond to the situation. By operating as a cohesive and synchronized unit, the potential for injury or the disconcerting prospect of becoming separated amid the commotion can be significantly curtailed.

Formulating your family's safety plan entails the creation of a systematic evacuation strategy, complete with a predetermined meeting point. Compiling essential contact information is necessary, enabling swift communication during emergencies.

It is also imperative to outline the action to take if floodwaters breach your home. Attend to particulars, such as assigning responsibilities for the safety and retrieval of pets or young children. Determine who holds the responsibility for their prompt and secure relocation. 

1. Safeguarding Important Documents

Safeguarding vital papers from potential disasters is paramount. Invest in file cabinets that are fire and water-resistant to put away all crucial documents and files safely. Alternatively, ensure security with a commercial safe deposit box.

Duplicate important papers for prompt access. Share copies with professionals, family, or friends, and maintain a list of documents and their locations in multiple places.

In case of flood damage, follow outlined drying instructions. However, preemptively photocopy significant papers due to potential degradation, even after apparent successful drying.

1. Preparing Your House Structure

Strategic home preparation can curb flood damage and the associated repair costs. While certain measures necessitate substantial investments and time, others act as quick-fix defenses that can provide some support even in the most severe flood outcomes.

Engaging a professional inspection for flood-prone areas can be a prudent financial move. Their guidance might include placing appliances like furnaces, water heaters, and electric panels on higher floors, lessening flood risks.

Installing check valves in your plumbing system can help prevent floodwater from infiltrating drains. Waterproofing your basement is a proactive step to mitigate flood-related losses.

When flood threats loom, even smaller steps can safeguard your home. Placing sandbags strategically around entrances and garages protects against encroaching water.

1. Emergency Supplies Preparation

Assembling essential emergency provisions is imperative while dealing with a flood situation. Consider incorporating the following items into your flood emergency kit:

• Water: At least three gallons of water per individual within your family.
• Food: A three-day reserve of non-perishable items for each family member.
• First Aid Kit: IA comprehensive first aid kit featuring bandages, antiseptics, and pain relievers.

Also, pack in flashlights and extra battery supplies, hygiene necessities such as soap, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, warm clothing to beat potential cold weather conditions, waterproof attire, rubber gloves, and rain gear to combat wet conditions.

By maintaining these provisions, you can enhance your flood emergency preparedness significantly.

 Consider Flood Insurance

Flood insurance is an important step in preparing for floods.Damage coverage offers protection for your home and belongings and prevents huge losses.

It ensures financial security, reduces stress and anxiety, and facilitates quicker rebound, bypassing savings depletion or delayed aid reliance. Flood insurance assures financial security and tranquility during floods. Choosing a reliable insurance provider and a flood-specific protection plan is important.

Invest In Home Backup Power System For Emergency Use

Dealing with power outages during a flood can be extremely challenging. The absence of a power supply amplifies the difficulties of daily routines and hampers cleanup and recovery activities. For those residing in flood-prone areas, procuring a home backup power system becomes an essential safeguard against such situations.

Mango Power E can be your best bet for accessing reliable power during an emergency such as a flood. It is designed to meet 99 percent of your home and portable power needs. With its massive battery capacity and easy portability, this powerful home power supply can be your best protection against extended power outages typically experienced during floods.