What Not to do After a Flood

Floodwaters are on the rise. It is estimated that over the next three decades, the cost of flood damage will increase by 26 percent. Flooding will become an even greater reality in the lives of average everyday people with this rise. 

There are a few steps you can take after flooding that are deemed safe. The Red Cross for example tells you what to wear, what to hold and who to call,

• TO WEAR: wear rubber boots and gloves, eye protection, long pants and sleeves,
• TO HOLD: carry a flashlight and look out for unwanted guests, such as snakes, that may have taken refuge in your home
• TO CALL: if you are without power or gas, check with utility suppliers

What are the things we shouldn’t do? Below is a list of three things you shouldn’t do after a flood. 

DO NOT USE YOUR WELL WATER – AND ONLY START AFTER YOU’VE TAKEN THE RIGHT PRECAUTIONS.

In the aftermath of a flooding event you have many reasons to tap into your well. You need drinking water, water to clean dishes, water to bathe and a slew of other domestic tasks. There are two dangers that a flood imposes on a well: an electrical danger and a contamination danger. 

• Electrical Dangers.

Water and electricity do not mix. Well pumps draw a substantial amount of power, ranging generally between 230 and 120 volts. This is not a standard residential outlet amount of electricity you're dealing with. To start your well pump after a flood without care and caution is to risk being shocked. Plus, it’s possible the flooding has compromised your pump. If you attempt to turn it on, you may in fact damage the pump itself costing you more money, time and frustration. 

• Contamination Dangers. 

Using well water during a flood risks your health and further contamination. Flood water is notoriously dirty and full of harmful chemicals and bacteria. Because a well draws water from the ground, it’s possible for these chemicals and bacteria to seep into your water supply. If you’re not careful, the water you’re trying to escape may be pumped into your home. 

Because it takes time for the environment to recover from the ill effects of flooding, you’ll need to take precautions against contaminated water for a long time after a flood recedes. Lean on the expertise of your local officials and even hire an environmental company to test your water supply. 

DO NOT SWIM OR ALLOW CHILDREN TO PLAY IN FLOODWATER.

To a child, floodwaters feel like a fairyland. What was once dry land is now a giant swimming pool. The draw of children to play in flood waters is strong. It’s also dangerous. In flood waters chemicals, sewage and other contaminants mix together creating a threatening environment. Coming in contact with a harmful bacteria, absorbing and ingesting chemicals is a real possibility and a threat to health. 

DO NOT ENTER DEEP, UNKNOWN WATERS.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that floodwater is treacherous. It presents many dangers ranging from contamination dangers to electrical dangers to unknown object dangers. Any of these reasons should be reason enough to stay out of the water. 

Because floodwater is unpredictable, it is hard to judge the current of flood water and also the depth. Floodwaters change landscapes and create sinkholes. Even land that you think you know may be vastly different because of the effects of flooding. Venturing into this water is unsafe.

Beyond the worries of unknown currents and depths, power lines and unknown objects also create real dangers. In fact, this is one of the greatest immediate dangers of floodwaters. A flood current essentially rakes the land as it passes, collecting all the miscellaneous debris left loose. In a flood current, these debris are deadly. 

If you need assistance after flooding, call our team at Rocky Top Restoration. Our team has years of experience with flood and water damage.