Surviving a flood is a thorough, painstaking and comprehensive process. It isn’t something you plan hastily for or treat with levity. Given the benefits of water, this is sadly ironic, isn’t it? While the absence of water for days is frightening, an even worse scenario is flood, which is basically too much water. 

 

What Am I Facing When Surviving A Flood?

Simply put, flood is water standing or moving in abnormal, huge quantities on or over a plain, especially when it should be dry. Depending on its cause as there are varying causes, flooding can be sudden, instantly occurring like an impromptu phenomenon or can, on the other hand, build slowly over time. It is however the former, the sudden, impromptu appearance (also called flash flooding) that destroys the most.

Flash flooding takes place when rapidly bowling sheets, walls or columns of water are routed or deposited in great, extraordinary mass. This flood type can easily kill, sweep away vehicles and machinery and, if intense enough, even dislodge buildings from foundations. Such a flood is often caused by heavy rainfall but tends to be triggered by spillage or overflowing of a riverbank. 

Floods are extremely forceful. In fact, it will take just 10—12 inches of moving water to sweep away vehicles, while for an adult, 6 inches will do the damage. 

These effects of flooding are highly dangerous but there’s even more to it. Keep in mind that flooding does not sweep away only humans, but also man-made objects it comes across. As such, you’re facing a lot of sharp debris, shattered glasses, spilled fuel, chemicals and sewage and many more hidden in the shady water. So, the prospect of moving through flood is quite dangerous, isn’t it?

 

Phases Of Preparation Towards Surviving A Flood

Preparations for surviving a flood are just as you will for any other natural or man-made disaster. That is, there will be three phases, namely pre-event, the event and post-event.

The pre-event preparations will enable you to prep ahead so you can make logical, well-thought decisions when flooding finally hits while the event and post-event preparations are to help cope with the dangers of flooding as best as possible. Let’s look at recommendations for each phase.

 

Pre-flooding

As already mentioned, this phase involves planning beforehand. Here are things to note:

Identify The More Threatening Spots In Your Area

While it is true that flooding is possible wherever it rains, there are always specific areas in your locale that are at a higher risk of a specific flood type than others. Knowing these areas will help know what you’re more prone to suffer from. Flooding on plain, level areas is typically slower and less devastating than flood crashing downhill off a higher surface.

 

Figure Out Safe Areas

This means working out the areas that are not vulnerable to flooding. It could be the large church built away from water routes and above sea level or any other vantage point. Just make sure to figure out somewhere you can quickly evacuate to when SHTF. Remember you won’t have enough time to think things when the flood is already approaching.

 

Understand Critical Triggers of Flooding

If your area is highly vulnerable to flash flooding, you have to be precisely informed of what will trigger it. That includes how long it will rain before the river bank spills.

 

Stockpile Supplies 

This is of course prepping 101. Stock up supplies and equipment that you will use if you have to evacuate to a safe house. However, some may choose not to stockpile supplies now because you don’t necessarily have to evacuate as soon as you start getting the warnings. But know that buying supplies when SHTF can be cost-prohibitive and highly risky.

 

Get A Flood Insurance Policy

Many of us hate dealing with insurance but we have to if we care about our properties. An ordinary house insurance policy doesn’t include flooding or “flood-related” damages. And, importantly, I’d suggest that you do so now as it can take up to 30 days to complete with most insurance firms.

During Flooding

Now, when the flooding is on, the focus is to keep safe and away from the ravaging, destructive water. Here’s how to:

Stay Updated

Tune in to your emergency alert system or weather radios to stay informed on current situations. This may require getting a transistor radio as signals can become poor on phones then.

Evacuate Early

The earlier you evacuate, the better for you. If you have a timetable planned ahead, quickly move to the previously identified safe area and remain there.

Avoid Entering Flood Waters

Above, I mentioned that flood water contains several harmful objects, ranging from broken bottles to debris. Even if you’re sure the water isn’t plagued with these items, don’t enter it. The currents of flood water are too strong for you to move as you should. Moving through flooding is therefore just an excuse to be drowned.

Keep Signal Close

In case you ever get caught in the water, it’d be advisable to have a signaling device close to seek help. Recommendations include bright clothes, bright flashlights and chem lights.

 

Post-flooding

Having survived the flooding itself, many make the mistake of abandoning their shelter prematurely to return home. Here are tips to keep safe;

Avoid Unnecessary Driving

Only special vehicles can maneuver through the treachery of a flooded terrain. There is a high chance that you’ll get stuck in a bad spot.

 

Don’t Wade Into Flooding

The risks of infection and debris injury are reduced after flooding but there’s the chance that you’re wading into electrocuted water. Remember that flooding may damage power lines.

 

Be Careful Of Animals

Some animals, particularly snakes, are dislodged and carried from their habitats during flooding. They are likely to hang around until they find a way home. Take care not to encounter any.

 

Abide By Instructions From Authorities

That means you’re not jumping roadblocks and travel restrictions. Wait until proper authorities approve traveling before doing so. Remember they are more in place to tell you what to do.

 

Takeaways From Surviving A Flood

Flooding is a highly disastrous event, evident in the scores of people it kills and properties it destroys every year in America and beyond. The figures behind the stats are truly alarming, I tell you. But here’s something more alarming: the places safe from flooding are becoming increasingly fewer. So, that means surviving a flood starts from your home selection. Make adequate research to settle for areas with lower risk of flooding if you’re just buying a home.