If you live in a flood-prone region, creating an emergency plan is important to ensure you and your family are safe. Disaster can strike at any moment, even if the weather is just right and the sun is shining. Keep your family protected and secure using our tips to prepare your home for a flash flood.
Create an Emergency Kit
One of your most important duties as a father is ensuring your family is safe. Always store an emergency kit in your home. This emergency kit should be readily available and easily accessible. This kit should have at least three to four days’ worth of water and food—about one gallon of water a day—along with the following items.
- Medication
- Batteries
- Flashlights
- Copies of personal documents
- An extra cell phone
- Warming blankets
- A change of clothes for every family member
- Extra shoes
Take Preventative Measures Beforehand
It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Taking a few preventative measures before disaster strikes is the best way to prepare your house for a flash flood. Whether you own a home or rent, you should add flood coverage to your insurance policy. It’s important to know what your home or rental insurance covers in its terms and conditions about natural disasters.
You should also know your flood risk to understand how much coverage you will need and whether your area is prone to flooding. It would also be wise to take inventory of the valuable items in your house in case a disaster strikes.
Pro Tip: You should also take time to create a budget for your home improvements in case of substantial damage. It would be best if you also looked for loans or grants to use for repairs.
Elevate Your Electrical Components
Your electrical sockets and wiring should be elevated a foot above estimated flood levels. This will prevent your home from becoming a safety hazard and reduce the damage flooding can cause. If you have a basement, you should waterproof the floors and anchor your fuel tank, if you have one.
Don’t Disregard Flood Alerts
Pay attention to the weather, news, and flood alerts. Even if you haven’t prepared your home, you may still have time before a flood strikes. A flood watch is typically issued to an area’s residents when there are signs of flooding. When you get the alert, it is time to protect your furniture, valuables, and important documents.
However, if there’s a flood warning, the flood is happening or going to take place soon. If you receive a warning alert, consider relocating to a safe space.
