Besides the period where the storm itself makes landfall, ensuing floods are probably the most dangerous part of hurricane season. That’s why for the second installment in our series on hurricane preparedness, we’re going to talk all about how to avoid flooded areas. Read on to learn how to keep your family safe from dangerous flooding, and check out our blog for everything you need to know to stay safe during hurricane season.
How to Avoid Flooded Areas During a Hurricane:
- Make sure you already have supplies: In our first installment in this series, on making a disaster plan in case of a hurricane, we talked about all the emergency supplies you should gather. However, regardless of what supplies you do or do not have, do not, under any circumstances, go out in the middle of a flood to get more. This is extremely dangerous, and the very reason it’s so important to gather all of your supplies ahead of time. Ideally, you will have enough water to provide your family with one gallon each, for every day the hurricane lasts, as well as a large supply of non-perishable food goods, and safety items such as a flashlight, first aid kit, tool kit, and sanitation products.
- Check your family’s immunization history: This point is a little bit less obvious, and may even sound arbitrary at first. However, given the amount of diseases that your family may be exposed to during extreme flooding, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) suggests that you stay on top of everyone’s immunization history. If for instance, someone in your family has not received a tinnitus shot, you should try to make sure they get one before the start of hurricane season. Keeping track of immunization records also goes a long way to helping first responders determine what medical care is necessary in the wake of a hurricane.
- Bring in any valuable items you keep outside: Obviously, the safety of your possessions is far less important than the safety of your family during a hurricane. That said, you should still give yourself enough time to bring in any valuable items you keep outside before a storm hits, as these will be the first things to get destroyed. Items like grills and lawn furniture should be brought in the house, while your car should be stored securely in the garage
- Follow the news for updates: While you should not use anything that needs to be plugged into an outlet during a hurricane (more on that below,) you should use any portable electrical devices you have to stay up-to-date on the status of the storm, and determine whether your area is at risk for flooding and when it is likely to be safe to leave.
- Turn off all utilities before leaving your house: Turning off the main power switch and closing the main gas valve before a flood is critical to the safety of everyone in your family, whether you remain on your property during a storm or end up evacuating. Leaving the gas and electricity on creates various opportunities for you and your loved ones—or a rescue team entering your home—to be severely injured in the wake of a flood.
- Avoid low-lying areas: Low-lying areas such as canyons are the most dangerous place to be driving during a flood. The last thing you want to do is get caught in a road wash as you are trying to evacuate. Fortunately, this should not be an issue, as long as you…
- Follow your evacuation plan: Anotherimportant safety precaution we discussed in our last blog was planning your route to the nearest shelter in case of a hurricane. Assuming you have already done this, and you have given yourself enough time to evacuate your property, then navigating the roads safely should not be an issue.
FP Property Restoration Helps You Recover After a Flood
At FP Property Restoration, we put peoples’ safety above all else. However, we know that dealing with damaged property can feel devastating in its own right. Fortunately, our Fort Meyers restoration pros offer storm damage services and water damage assistance to ensure your property looks as good as new again as soon as possible. Watch out for our next hurricane preparedness blog on September 23rd, and feel free to contact FP Property Restoration 24/7 if your home or business has been damaged in a natural disaster.
Dial (888) 408-2335 anytime for scheduling and rates, or contact us online for more information.