Remember that severe weather
creates dangers!
Once a storm is headed your way - even the garden
variety summer thunderstorm - flooding from torrential rains,
storm surges, or elevated water levels may top the list of storm
dangers. Floods are the number-one weather-related killer,
so when a flood warning is issued, Bankers Insurance Group,
one of the nation's largest flood insurance carriers, recommends
taking critical steps in advance to ensure the safety of your
family and to minimize damage to your home and possessions.
Flood warnings may be issued
anywhere from 24-72 hours ahead of the anticipated flooding--
even less in flash-flood situations. Bank experts advise
taking the following steps during that time:
Emergency Supplies
Make sure your stock of emergency supplies is adequate
and that it is stored in a safe, flood-proof place. Include:
- 1-2 week supply of non-perishable
food
- Enough bottled drinking water
to provide at least one gallon per family member per day
for at least seven days
- Battery-operated radio and
flashlights with extra batteries
- Trash bags
- Paper supplies such as paper
towels and toiletries
- First aid kit
- Heavy gloves
- Cleaning supplies, including
disinfectant
Clean the bathtub and fill it
with water. Obtaining clean water for washing may become difficult
during and after the flood, and you will need your bottled
water for drinking.
Possible Evacuation
- Put your homeowners insurance quotes policies and flood
insurance policies in a safe, waterproof place, along with
extra cash, proof of identification, and other important
documents. Be ready to take them with you if you must evacuate.
- Fill your car with gas.
- Gather the things each family
member will need if you must evacuate. Include clothing,
sleeping bags or bedrolls, medicines, personal hygiene items,
your flashlight and extra batteries, and baby supplies if
you have an infant.
- Be prepared to follow evacuation
orders immediately. If you are not in an evacuation zone
and you feel it will be safe to stay in your home, doing
so will help minimize already-congested traffic.
Other Safety Measures
- Check the outside of your
house for items that might come loose and blow through windows
or float away, such as patio furniture, awnings, grills,
garbage cans, garden tools, and large toys. Secure them or
bring them inside.
- Know how to turn off utilities
at the main switches or valves in case you are instructed
by emergency officials to do so.
- If flooding occurs, stay away
from flood waters and don't let children play in or near
them. Flood water often carries snakes and insects and can
be severely contaminated.
- Don't walk through moving
water; six inches of moving water is enough to knock you
off your feet. If you must walk, wear boots or sturdy shoes
and look for water that is not moving.
- Avoid driving through flooded
areas.
- Keep a battery-powered radio
on hand to monitor conditions and instructions from emergency
officials.
Remember that your homeowners
insurance quotes policy doesn't cover losses or damage from flooding.
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