| Over the last two years, floods have damaged homes | | | | equipment, including power generators.o Structural |
| and businesses in all 50 states. The total cost for flood | | | | Damage. To ensure your home is not in danger of |
| damage in the U.S. now stands at over $1 billion. While | | | | collapsing, inspect the foundation for damage and |
| enduring a major flood is traumatic, dealing with the | | | | check the integrity of walls, floors, doors, staircases, |
| aftermath is equally as harrowing. Even minor flooding | | | | and windows.o Chemicals. Be aware of potential |
| of a few inches can cause severe damage taking | | | | chemical hazards around your property, such as |
| months to repair. A systematic approach can help | | | | leaking propane tanks or car batteries. |
| homeowners wade through the murky aftermath of a | | | | Clean Up |
| flood. | | | | Home owners should clean and disinfect every |
| Insurance and Other Assistanceo Insurance. One of | | | | surface in their home, including walls and hard-surfaced |
| the first things you should do after a flood is contact | | | | floors, with either a store-bought product or a |
| your insurance company to see if your policy covers | | | | homemade solution. A disinfectant solution can be |
| the damage. Homeowner's policies do not cover flood | | | | made with 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach and a gallon of |
| damage, so flood insurance is a wise investment, even | | | | water. Open windows in the house for ventilation as |
| if you've taken measures to prevent flood damage. | | | | you clean.o Dry It Out. To avoid damage to the |
| Note: Document damage by making a list, taking | | | | foundation, gradually pump water from flooded |
| photos, or using videotape as you begin cleaning your | | | | basements (2-3 feet per day). For items that cannot |
| home. Besides needing the records for insurance | | | | be washed, such as mattresses and furniture, if they |
| claims, you can also use the information when applying | | | | are salvageable air dry them outside and then spray |
| for disaster assistance and income tax deductions.o | | | | them with a disinfectant. Otherwise, throw them out.o |
| Federal Assistance. Disaster assistance is available in | | | | Food Areas. Throw away food that has been in |
| Presidentially-declared disaster zones and can help | | | | contact with water (some canned items can be |
| you in recovery. Flood insurance provides more | | | | saved) and disinfect surfaces that contact food, such |
| coverage than federal disaster assistance. Insurance | | | | as counters, shelves, tables, utensils, serving ware, and |
| could cover a home a certain home for $250,000, | | | | refrigerators.o Kids areas. Carefully clean areas where |
| while federal aid would provide only $35,000 toward | | | | your children play.o Clothes. Wash linens and clothing in |
| the same home. | | | | hot water or dry clean them.o Carpet. Steam clean |
| Note: If you receive disaster assistance, you cannot | | | | carpeting if possible.o Bathrooms. If sewage has come |
| receive it again for 3 years. Should your home incur | | | | into the house, wear rubber boots and waterproof |
| flood damage again within that time period, you would | | | | gloves to clean up.o Throw It Out. Remove and |
| need flood insurance to cover the damage.o Local Aid. | | | | discard items cannot be disinfected. Likely items include |
| Voluntary agencies, such as the Red Cross, church | | | | cloth, upholstered furniture, and drywall. Drywall acts |
| groups, civic clubs, and businesses typically provide | | | | like a sponge and will likely grow moldy, creating a |
| flood relief. Telephone hotlines with such information | | | | permanent hazard unless removed.o Freezer |
| are available in federally declared disasters. | | | | Approach. To protect from mildew, photographs, |
| Safety First | | | | books, and important papers can be frozen and |
| As owners enter their homes after a flood, safety is | | | | cleaned later. Dry them carefully, wash off mud and |
| of the utmost importance. Avoid entering a house until | | | | debris, place in plastic bags, and then store the items in |
| local officials have declared it safe. Be cautious when | | | | a frost-free freezer until you have time to clean them. |
| entering, and don't go in if water remains around the | | | | An Ounce of Prevention... |
| building.o Utilities. Report broken power lines and other | | | | If your house has flooded once, it can flood again, so |
| damaged utilities to the appropriate authorities. Turn off | | | | take measures to prevent or mitigate flood damage in |
| all utilities and have them inspected and restored safely | | | | the future. Be prepared for the next time by |
| by a professional. Avoid any downed power lines, | | | | reconstructing your home with flood proof materials |
| particularly those in water. See if your sewage and | | | | and using techniques that will minimize damage. Have |
| waterlines are damaged and if necessary, have them | | | | food stores and an evacuation plan and look into |
| serviced as soon as possible as they can pose major | | | | purchasing flood insurance. If your flooding was caused |
| health threats. Ensure that your water is potable | | | | by leaking pipes, appliances, or water seeping into the |
| before drinking.o Fire Hazards. In case of a gas leak, | | | | basement, water alarms and leak detectors are also |
| use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights when | | | | available, which will alert you to the presence of rising |
| examining your home and avoid smoking inside. | | | | water in your home. |
| Consult the utility company about using electrical | | | | |