5 Things You Should Never Do After a Flood

8/7/2020 (Permalink)

Do not drive through flooded street

Keep Your Home Safe From Floods and Damage

When it comes to dealing with flood water, there's a distinct correct and incorrect course of action. Sometimes following your basic instincts can make the water damage worse. Abide by the following actions if your home in College Grove, TN, has recently experienced a flood.

1. Never walk or swim in the water: There are several reasons why this is a terrible idea. The currents may be much stronger than you think and it only takes 6 inches of water to knock you down. The flood is also likely to contain black water, a hazardous Category 3 contaminate.

2. Don't ignore advice from authorities: If the authorities tell you to evacuate your home, then you need to leave. Do not return to your residence until they give you permission to do so. If they have a barricade set up along your escape route, do not drive around it. It's there for a reason.

3. Don't try to be a hero: It's natural to want to save the possessions in your flooded home. However, staying in your house while it's actively filling up with water is a very bad idea.

4. Avoid touching electrical equipment: Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. It's all too easy to electrocute yourself by touching electrical devices that are damp or while standing in floodwater. If you can do so safely, you should shut off the electricity in your house.

5. Do not drive through the water: It only takes one foot of water to sweep your car away. It's best to avoid driving altogether unless there's an emergency. If your car does get carried away in the current, don't get out. If water starts to rise up inside your car, climb on the roof of the vehicle, and signal for help.
It's important to keep your home safe from floods and water damage. That being said, no material possessions are worth risking your life over. Let flood water remediation specialists worry about fixing the damage so you can focus on keeping yourself and your family safe.