Flooding is a very big hazard in many parts of the United States and is a reality for over 40 million Americans. Not only does flooding cost innumerable human lives, but it also causes irreparable damage to millions of homes, property, and infrastructure on an annual basis. The onset of climate change and rising sea levels combine to pose this threat to flood-prone areas in the country, and the only way we can combat and protect ourselves is by taking the necessary precautions and making required arrangements. If you live in a flood-prone area yourself, given below are the four precautions that you should be taking:
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Stay Informed
If you live in an area that is prone to floods, you should always be on the lookout for relevant information, alerts, and warnings from your local weather department or county office. You may look into the flood maps as designed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and also connect with your local district emergency director for suitable updates. If you find yourself and your family under immediate threat of a flood emergency, you should constantly seek updates by listening to a local news station or the weather radio broadcast to follow official safety instructions.
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Safeguard your home
In addition to being informed, you should also prepare your home accordingly and flood-proof it. A house can be made flood-proof by simply elevating the main utilities, electrical, and heating systems to prevent any electrical hazards due to flooding. You would also have to pay attention to your basement, if you have one, as it is the vulnerable part of your home during a flood. Use sealing products on your walls to safeguard them against any water damage and install sump pumps that can help drain water out of your basement to keep it from flooding.
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Get Flood Insurance
A regular home insurance policy doesn’t usually cover any damages caused by floods, which is why if you live in a flood-prone area you should consider getting flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. A flood insurance policy covers damage sustained due to coastal storms, prolonged and heavy rains, and melting snow. Similar to how you may run to a personal injury dealing attorney office when you suffer from an accident, your first point of contact after waiting out a flood would be your flood insurance policy provider, and you need to ensure you choose a provider with utmost care if you don’t want to traumatize that experience.
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Prepare an emergency suitcase
Depending on the number of family members, prepare an emergency suitcase that features all essential supplies that can last your family for at least two weeks in case you find yourself under immediate threat with little hope for government help. You should stock up on canned food, drinking water, medication, copies of personal documents, cellphone and chargers, and even a solar power emergency preparedness kit that would ensure you have a light source for weeks.
Conclusion
While there is only so much that humans can do to prepare for natural calamities and disasters, we should all play our part and do the most of what we can to protect ourselves, our families, and our neighbors. The above precautions represent a small but significant percentage of necessary measures that you should be taking if you live in a flood-prone area.
