What To Do During a Flood?
Elevate your home from the base while constructing to avoid entry of floodwater or construct walls to stop it.
Install "check valves" in sewer pipes to prevent floodwater from entering the drains of your home.
Seal the basement walls to let water enter.
If your home is in very low land, then shift to a safer place and keep all furniture at an elevated level.
Keep all your documents in a safe water-proof bag.
Keep updated with flood safety tips given by the Government.
Know the safest route of escape to the nearest shelter.
Install the electricity supplying switches and plugs above a certain level from the floor, which is most unlikely to get reached by the floodwater.
Keep all your electronic devices charged.
What Not to Do During a Flood?
Do not go in the flood-prone zone or leave your home if there is any flood forecast.
Take all valuables with you and do not keep any valuables at home as you have to evacuate the place.
Do not ignore advice, messages, or instructions given by Government and local municipal bodies.
Do not litter plastics, garbage, or any blockage making materials in the drains.
Safety Precautions to Follow if Flood Is Likely to Hit Your Area
Safety precautions for floods when it is about to hit your land are as follows:Keep calm and updated with news broadcast channels.
Be aware of the flash flood.
Take all flood safety measures.
Do not enter flood-prone areas as precautions during floods.
Keep the drainage system of your house clean and out of any blockage.
Unplug electrical gadgets and machinery and keep away from the reach of water.
Store enough food and drinking water with you.
Turn off gas valves and connected devices.
Move family and pets in the safe zone.
Keep the first aid box with necessary medicines with you.
You may put sandbags in drains to obstruct the entry of floodwater.
Store drinking water.
Try to control the temperature of the home to 65 degrees F to impede bacterial growth.
Try to keep a check on insects and mosquitos.
Take your vehicles to an upland area, and do not leave them in the garage if evacuating the home.
Do not keep any valuables in homes.
Things to Do During Floods if There Is a Need for Evacuation
As for safety measures during a flood, the government may instruct you to evacuate the home. In such circumstances, take the following flood safety measures.’Raise all furniture, bed materials, and appliances on a table or elevated place inside your home.
Block all drains in the home to restrict floodwater from entering your home.
Turn off gas and electricity connections.
Carry a first aid kit, dry food, and drinking water with you.
Use a stick to walk through water to understand the depth.
Make a family communication plan.
What Are the Essential Insurance Products for People Living in Flood-Prone Zones?
As a precaution to be taken during floods, people residing in flood-prone zones should buy flood insurance or home insurance covering damages caused by the flood. It covers:Floor damage
Damage caused by the short circuit.
Furniture damage.
Structural damage
Water leakage
Insurance coverage is applicable when your house or property is damaged due to the following reasons -Overflowing river water
Waterlogging by monsoon rain or cyclone.
Seawater entering city
Tidal condition
Awareness, adopting safety measures, and obeying Government rules is the right decision during natural disasters, including floods. Keep calm and be patient; follow the dos and don’ts as early as possible. Take necessary precautions of flood based on the forecasted severity.
Precautions Before a Cyclone: Do's and Don'ts
Here are some precautions of cyclone one should follow to stay prepared for the disaster -
Ensure good condition of your house so that it can withstand strong winds.
Trim down trees to make sure they do not fall over telephone or electricity lines during the storm.
Keep your mobile phone fully charged and other appliances like torches handy as there may be power cuts during a cyclone.
Store essential items like groceries and medicines in advance. It is vital to keep dry foods that are not perishable during emergencies.
Prepare an emergency first-aid kit.
Store water because the water supply may be disrupted during cyclones.
Apart from the above cyclone precautions, one should avoid some factors at any cost while preparing for a storm. They are as follows:Do not leave any loose sharp objects lying around your property, as they can injure people during gusty winds.
It is vital to steer clear of demolished buildings during cyclones.
Do not keep dying and low-hanging branches of trees near your premises.
Precautions to Be Taken During a Cyclone
Given below is a list of safety measures to be taken during a cyclone -Be aware of the official cyclone warning by listening to the radio or other authentic sources.
Install storm shutters or board up glass windows.
Keep all the doors and windows closed.
Take proper care of adults or children who need attention.
Switch off the electrical mains in your house.
Park your vehicles beneath a solid shelter with a hand brake or in gear to guard them.
Other than this, if the eye of the cyclone passes over your house, you should strictly avoid doing some activities as follows -If you are asked to evacuate, do not hesitate. Move to a house built on high grounds.
Do not move outside the house immediately after the eye passes, as there will be wind gusts from the opposite direction.
Avoid rumours of any sort, and do not panic.
Do not drive immediately after a storm because the roads are left slippery due to heavy downpours.
Stay away from concrete walls and floors because thunder lightning can pass through the metal bars in them.
Therefore, by following these do's and don'ts during the cyclone, one can ensure utmost safety.Apart from the safety measures to be taken during a cyclone, one must consider following some rules even after the cyclone passes.