In New England, we are used to preparing for the worst, especially when it comes to floods. You know how your home responds to a big rainstorm and if your basement will flood, but there are some things you may never have thought of. Keep reading to learn about the steps you should be taking to prepare for a flood.
Step 1: Have an Emergency Kit on Hand
It’s time to start putting together your emergency preparedness kit to protect you and your family. Kits usually include:
- At least a 3-day supply of water and food
- Flashlights
- A battery or hand-crank radio/extra batteries
- A first aid kit
- Multi-purpose tools
- Toiletries
- Blankets
- Medications
- Copies of personal documents
Step 2: Talk to Your Family and Be Attentive to Flood Alerts
Make sure that you are communicating to your family the safety procedures and safety tips to ensure everyone is prepared in case you need to evacuate. Pay extra attention to severe weather alerts so you can make any final necessary precautions before a major flood happens.
Step 3: Use Sandbags Around Your Home and Inspect Gutters
If you notice a flash flood warning in the forecast, build a wall of sandbags around your home to help prevent water from entering. Additionally, to minimize your chances of flooding, clean out decomposed leaves and mildew from gutters and check to make sure they aren’t weak or broken.
Step 4: Install a Basement Sump Pump
Sump pumps drain out excess water in your basement because they can recognize when there is too much water and send alerts to the homeowner. The pumps are a great way to keep your home dry and can save you money when minor flooding occurs.
Step 5: Waterproof Your Basement
Though waterproofing your basement can be a costly investment, it will pay off in the long run if your home tends to be frequently flooded. Below are five possible solutions for waterproofing:
- Concrete waterproofing coatings
- Silicate-based concrete sealers
- Waterproofing paint
- Plastic sheets and panels
- Raise electrical sockets, switches and wirings at least 12 inches above predicted flood levels
Step 6: Store Valuables in a Safe Place
The last thing you need after a flood is to lose everything – especially your valuables and important documents. If you are in an area that often floods, be sure to keep those in a safe and dry place such as a locked safe. If a major flood is on its way to you, take any and all furniture from the basement and move it upstairs to keep them dry
How Does Flood Insurance Work?
Flood insurance will not only give you coverage when you need it, but it also compensates for all covered losses, flood damages, comes in low-cost policies for those who qualify, and helps you move on. Also, the Federal government backs the National Flood Insurance Program, so you’ll receive guaranteed compensation. Basic homeowners insurance does not cover the damages and claims caused by floods. Be sure to get flood insurance to cover any losses/damage to your home caused by flooding.
After any major or minor flood, seek professional help for the cleanup process. Here at TJ Woods Insurance Agency, we care about you and your home. We’re an independent insurance agency, and customers always come first. If you need more information regarding what to do in the case of a flood, contact us today!
