Insurance Tips

FLOOD TIPS

BEFORE THE WATERS RISE

• Turn off electricity at the main power switch and close the main gas valve.
• Monitor emergency instructions using a battery powered portable radio.
• Move papers, furs, jewelry, clothing and other valuables or irreplaceable items to upper floors or higher elevations
• Fill bathtubs, sinks and plastic bottles with clean water to ensure an adequate supply. (Sanitize tubs and sinks first by scrubbing them with bleach.)  Use this until the water supply is declared safe.  You may also boil water vigorously for 5 minutes before you drink or use it to prepare food.
• Tie down outdoor possessions or bring them inside.
• Move your automobile to a higher elevation.
• Evacuate when instructed to do so.  If water starts to rise inside your house before you can leave, retreat to upper floors, or if necessary, the roof.  Take dry clothing, a flashlight and radio.  Wait for help.  Do not try to swim to safety.

DURING THE FLOOD

• Stay where you are until local authorities say it is safe to leave.
• Stay out of disaster areas unless you are qualified to give assistance.
• Do not drive or walk through flooded areas.  If you are in your car and you come to a flooded road, turn back and find an alternate route.  Never attempt to drive across running flood water; nearly half of all flood deaths are auto related.  If you're walking remember that flood waters are powerful.  As little as 6 inches of moving water can knock you down.  If you must travel near flooded areas, watch for downed power lines.  Water conducts electricity, and you risk being electrocuted.

AFTER THE FLOOD

• Before entering your flooded home, walk around the outside and check for gas leaks, loose power lines and structural damage.  Report downed power lines, broken sewer, water or gas lines to local authorities. If you did not turn off electricity and gas before the flooding began and you can safely get to your electrical box and gas meter without walking through water, turn them off now.
• Use a flashlight when you enter your home, as explosive gas may be in the air.  Do not use gas lanterns or other open flames.  Do not smoke.
• Watch for animals, snakes, rodents or other wild animals that may have sought shelter in your house.
• With electricity off, unplug all appliances and lamps, and remove light bulbs, wall switch plates and outlet covers that are wet.  Keep power off until an electrician has inspected your system.  Gas appliances that have been flooded should also be inspected before using.
• Do not enter your home if there is any threat that it might collapse.  Open the door slowly.  If it sticks, this is an indication that your ceiling may be ready to fall.  Force the door open, then wait a few minutes to determine if it is safe to enter.  Look at your ceiling, if it is sagging, stand back and use a stick with a nail on the end of it to poke a small hole at the edge of the sagging area.  If there is trapped water it should start to drain.  Repeat this process working your way to the center of the sag until the water is gone.  (Do not start in the center of the sag because the ceiling might collapse.)  Test for water trapped in walls by removing the baseboard and poking small holes about two inches above the floor.  If water drains, cut or drill holes large enough for it to flow freely.
• Drain your basement slowly, either by using a pump or hand bailing.  If there are still flood waters outside the building the pressure from inside your basement may be preventing the walls from collapsing.  Remove two or three feet of water at a time and mark the new water level.  If the water does not rise above the mark by the next day it should be safe to continue until the water has been completely drained.
• Do not walk through flowing water.  Watch for snakes, holes, nails, broken glass and other dangerous debris.  Remove debris and shovel out as much as possible.  Be aware that steps and floors may be slippery.
• Flood waters are often contaminated by sewage and chemicals.  Until the water supply is declared by officials to be safe from contamination, do not drink water from the faucet.  As soon as possible, hose down and disinfect the entire flooded area of your home including air ducts, electrical outlets, wall switches and sockets, furniture or other contents.  If possible use a device that sprays soap.  Throw out food and medication that may have come into contact with flood water.  Clean canned goods in a solution of one teaspoon of bleach to one quart of water.  Throw out swollen cans.
• Cover holes in the roof, walls or windows with boards, tarps or plastic sheeting to prevent additional water damage.
• Remove floor covering from flooded areas.  Keep samples of items such as carpet and upholstery for your claims adjuster.
• To ventilate your home during the day, open all windows, doors, cabinets and drawers.
• Remove wet insulation unless it is Styrofoam.
• Inventory all damage.  List items and note their age, cost and purchase date. Not all contents are destroyed by water; some can be cleaned.  Take pictures of water levels and furnishings for your records.  Keep detailed records of clean-up costs.
• Most importantly, take care of yourself and your family.  be aware of the symptoms of stress, fatigue and exhaustion.  Set your priorities and pace your work.  Eat properly, drink water and get plenty of rest.

WHEN THE WATERS RECEDE- REPORTING DAMAGE

• Call your insurance agent to start the claim process.
• Be prepared to provide the claim representative with several telephone numbers where you can be reached.  This is especially important if you have been evacuated from your home.  You may also have damage from wind, hail, fire, etc. in addition to your flood damage.  Report all damage at once.