Flood Safety Tips

Much of our area has been under severe flood watch over the last week, and for good reason! We’ve had so much rain that houses and business have been damaged, people have lost their precious belongings and still there seems to be no end in sight for flood threats.

We here at Mountainside Medical wanted to take a minute to provide you with tips to get you through flooding. Even if you have found yourself in the thick of it over the last few days, these tips and tricks can help you stay and try to be more prepared.

Before the flood: 1.  Always be prepared! Pack a bag with the important items in case you need to evacuate – include things of the utmost importance, like medications. 2. When advised to evacuate your home, do so immediately (with help from step #1) 3.  If there is a possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground 4.  If you have time or if it is possible, bring in outdoor furniture and move essential items to an upper floor. 5.  Turn off all utilities at the main switches and disconnect all electrical appliances. 6.  Be sure your first aid kit is handy and the supplies inside are safe from rising waters in the event of an emergency.

During a flood: 1.  Do not walk through moving water. As little as 6 inches of moving water can make you lose your footing and create an opportunity for a hazardous fall. 2.  If you find yourself walking through the water, try to walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you and locate obstacles along the way. 3.  Do not drive in flooded areas. If the flood waters rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground immediately. 4.  Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or are standing in water.

After a flood:

1.  Listen for news reports to know whether your community’s water supply is safe to drink. 2.  Avoid floodwater at all costs. It may be contaminated by oil, gasoline or even raw sewage. Water can also be electrically charged from underground or by power lines that are down. 3.  Again, avoid moving water. 4.  Be wary of areas where flood waters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car. 5.  Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by flood waters. 6.  Only return home when authorities indicate it is safe. 7.  Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the flood victims in our area this year. Stay safe during this rainy season!