Flooding: Before & After
When A Flood is Predicted — If time permits, protect your possessions
If time permits, there are last minute precautions that can be taken to reduce flood damage to personal property:
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Remove pictures, mirrors, paintings and decorations from walls. Water in the house may cause the wallboard to soften. Nails and hanging devices can loosen and slip out, causing wall-hung items to drop to the wet floor. Art objects will not likely be covered at full value by your flood insurance.
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Empty fireplace ashes. If water gets into the fireplace, ashes may be carried all over the house.
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Remove food items from lower cabinets. Don't forget pet foods or other perishables. These items may spoil and float over the house, causing a foul odor. Even if not covered by water, cardboard containers will absorb moisture from the humidity in the house.
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Remove doors and drawers from lower cabinets and doorways. These are easily warped by water and damaged by water pressure. Lay large doors on sawhorses or cement blocks and stack small items on them and out of reach of flood water.
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Lift curtains and draperies up and tie lower sections to upper sections with twine. If possible, remove curtains and draperies out of any room that will flood. They will likely mildew even if not wet because of excess moisture in the room.
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Remove clothing and shoes from closets and drawers. Try to get out at least enough for several wearings. Items will likely mildew even if not wet because of the moisture content of the air.
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Encase anything that won't float in large plastic bags and securely tape them on. Consider appliances, table legs and other heavy items. Or raise furniture and appliances on sawhorses, cement blocks or other props. Be sure to drill holes in barrels, otherwise they'll float and overturn items stacked on top.
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Move as much as you can to a dry location.
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Prioritize your possessions. If you have no other means of protecting your possessions, prop or stack more valuable furniture and other items on less valuable pieces.
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Bring outdoor possessions inside the house or tie them down securely. This includes lawn furniture, lawn mowers and power tools, garbage cans, tools, signs, container plants and other moveable objects that might be swept away or hurled about.
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Remove carpet and rugs if time permits.
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Block main sewage outlet from house to avoid sewage back-up.
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Drive or tow out all vehicle or trailers.
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Keep chemicals high. If floodwater reaches them, chemical concentrates (such as lye, pesticides, etc.) can contaminate flood water and make it more dangerous and difficult to clean up.
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Turn off the utilities. Shut off all gas and electric service before leaving your home.