Floods are really one of the most costly and often occurring natural disasters we deal with in this world.
Some researchers actually attribute up to 90% of the damage from disasters to floods (the kinds of disasters that increase water, anyway). Said another way, floods can stand alone but also tend to accompany disasters like Tsunamis, hurricanes, and severe snowstorms. Thus, a survival article on floods certainly can't be dismissed.
Just the other day an April rainstorm hit the northeast. Problem is, it wasn't one of those 'April showers bring May flowers kinds of things'. Rather, it was the kind of hard, prolonged rainfall that causes flooding. In fact, the amount of rain was a real rarity (some experts indicated that it was a once in every 25 years kind of storm).
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By April 16, 2007 the Hutchinson River Parkway looked more like a river than a road. People were bailing water out of their basements all across the tri-state area. One can only make estimates on the property damage incurred at this point.
And that's mild. After all, who can forget Hurricane Katrina? The amount of flooding from that storm literally changed the landscape. Areas of New Orleans that had once been were now gone.
Terrible.
What causes flooding
Usually, prolonged and intense rainfall. However, floods can also be caused by short extremely intense rainfall and/ or ice or debris jams that cause a body of water to overflow. Further, floods tend to occur in low lying areas such as New Orleans most frequently. These low sea level areas are often called floodplains.
A flash flood is one where there is little to no warning. These are often caused by very intense rainfall or ice/ debris jams that let go.
How to survive a flood when it's about to happen or is happening
The most important thing is to pay attention to emergency personnel and your situation. If your home is located in a floodplains area, you have to pay particular attention to the National Weather Service. They will oftentimes let you know about floods- sometimes on the tail of a large scale weather event like a hurricane- in advance with warnings and/ or watches.
Something to pay particular attention to is this. If emergency personnel tell you that you should evacuate to higher ground, do it! Do not play hero; it is not a prudent course of action to take.
By the way, that's the key. When a flood comes rolling in, people that live on floodplains and low lying areas should move to higher ground. Remember that only two feet of water can literally carry an automobile away. Along with this, playing or swimming in flood waters can be very dangerous. It should never be done.
Another interesting note is that snakes are oftentimes carried away from their homes in flood water. Thus, this adds another danger to the overflow, particularly if you live in an area with snakes of the poisonous variety.
Planning for a flood
First thing's first. Have homeowner's insurance. The next thing to understand is that homeowner's policies do not directly cover flooding expenses in most cases. Thus, ask your insurance agent about the National Flood Insurance Program- http://www.fema.gov/about/programs/nfip/index.shtm.
In addition, if you live in a flood zone have all insurance and important paperwork/ materials in a waterproof lockbox in an area of your house least likely to be hit by flood waters. Further, having a sump pump put into your house, if appropriate, could be beneficial.
Beyond that, here are some other things to consider.
1. Have a preordained place for you and your family to meet if you live in a frequently flooded area, along with an escape route that does not travel along low lying roadways (if possible). Also, have a chain of contact plan (keep cell phones on your person, if possible).
Obviously, the place you choose to meet should be on higher ground.
2. If you live in a floodplains area, build your home in an elevated manner (possibly on stilts, if appropriate). Ask your builder for more specific and pertinent information.
3. Put your furnace, water heater, and electric panel on a higher floor/ area of your home.
4. Consider the damage that could be done to low level areas of your home and act accordingly with furnishings. In other words, don't install an insanely expensive carpet on the lowest level of your home. You could come to regret it.
5. Know where you plan on putting valuables in your home when a flood is coming. However, you should only enact this plan if you have time, and that is dictated by what emergency personnel tell you.
6. Consider installing check valves in building sewer traps.
7. Basement walls should be sealed with waterproofing compounds. However, if you don't already know this one then you probably don't often deal with floods where you live!
8. Consider having a water vacuum on hand for after flood activities (aren't they always fun).
9. Consider putting up flood walls or levees. Always remember to check the building codes before doing any work.
10. Have extra emergency building materials on hand.
11. Ask emergency personnel in your area in advance what else you might want to do!
Flood Emergency Kit
Beyond all of this, have an emergency supplies kit on hand that can easily become mobile in case of flood. This kit should at least have:
1. A few days worth of non-perishable food and water. The reality is you should have much more than this considering the state of the world today. See the following article on surviving a nuclear attack for more on emergency rations-http://www.secretsofsurvival.com/survival/nuclear_attack.html
2. A radio and batteries.
3. Money, credit cards, identification, and bank information.
4. Medicines or health related things you may require (don't forget your glasses).
5. A warm sleeping bag.
6. Kitchen (ex. Can opener, forks) and sanitation (bathroom tissue) supplies.
7. A personal and local phonebook.
8. A map.
9. Emergency materials (signal flares, a compass, a knife).
10. A change of clothes.
11. First Aid Kit.
In sum, most people in this world- one way or another- are going to experience the after effects of a flood or two. Thus, it's important to know how to survive such a situation both physically (follow emergency personnel suggestions and get to higher ground) and economically (look into insurance options and protect your home). So don't wait. Begin planning now because it could mean heartache if you don't.
