Did you know? Floods are among earth’s most common, and most destructive, natural hazards.

Stay safe with these tips from SEi…

Before a Flood

If you know flooding will be imminent, construct barriers to stop floodwater from entering your home. Make sure to keep up with the weather on your radio or television. Flood warnings are more serious than flood watches—it means flooding is occurring or will occur soon, versus just the possibility of a flood. Also, pack a bag with essentials in case you need to evacuate, including drinking water, dry clothes, and any medications.

During a Flood

The most important tip is to follow evacuation orders—you don’t want to wait until it’s too late. Disconnect all electrical appliances and turn off utilities if instructed to do so. If you can no longer evacuate, move to higher ground. Bring any essentials with you to an upper floor. Avoid flood waters at all costs- including driving into flooded areas.

Did you know? It only takes six inches of moving water to knock you off of your feet.

After a Flood

Do not drink flood water. It may be contaminated by gasoline, oil, or raw sewage. It may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines. Because this water can be riddled with filth, it is in your best interest to clean and disinfect anything that was contaminated by the water. If you evacuated, you can return home once local authorities have stated it is safe to do so.

Remember—SEi offers water monitoring services. When water levels are reached, the water detector sends signals to our 24-hour monitoring center, where the nearest authorities are alerted immediately. This can help during flooding, as well as protect your family, home and valuables from broken pipes, backed up drains, leaks and seepage.

References:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/flood-safety-tips/
https://www.cdc.gov/features/flood-safety/index.html