Are You, Your Family and Your Home Prepared for a Flood?

Hundreds of thousands of dollars are spent by homeowners and insurance companies to repair property damage that occurred as a result of flooding. In fact, floods are known to cause close to $5 billion in damage overall every single year, according to flood insurance claims that were filed between 2003 and 2012.

Some areas are much more prone to flooding than others, but a flood can occur anywhere given the right circumstances. Therefore, you need to know how to protect your home from as much flood damage as possible and how to protect your family in the event of an emergency flooding. Here are some tips:

1. Take the time to identify flood zones in your local vicinity. If you are uncertain of how to do this, you can consult with a city official who can help you determine if you are in a dangerous area.
2. Make sure that you have check valves installed at your home to help prevent the flood waters from coming into your home via the drains.
3. Ensure that you have an emergency kit easily accessible in the home. Everyone in the family should know where this is located and it should include at minimum first-aid supplies, water, non-perishable food items, battery-operated radio, flashlight and batteries.
4. Never drive through fast-rising waters. This is true even if you have a 4-wheel drive truck or SUV that is lifted up two feet. In fact, the larger your vehicle, the more likely your vehicle could tip over from the current of the rising water.

If your home has been damaged in a flood, it is crucial to contact a local contractor to help clean up the mess and repair the home. It isn't something that you want to try to do on your own, as there may be dangerous debris, toxic fumes and other hazards that could pose a risk to the health and safety of your family.