OC Flood After a Flood
If your home, apartment, or business has suffered flood damage, immediately call
the agent or company who handles your flood insurance policy. The agent will then
submit a loss form to the National Flood Insurance Program. An adjuster will be
assigned to inspect your property as soon as possible.
PRIOR TO ENTERING A BUILDING, check for structural damage. Make
sure it is not in danger of collapsing. Turn off any outside gas lines at the meter
or tank. If you smell gas, call your utility company immediately.
UPON ENTERING THE BUILDING, do not use an open flame as a source
of light since gas may still be trapped inside – use a battery-operated flashlight.
WATCH FOR DOWNED ELECTRICAL WIRES, Make certain that the main power
switch is turned off. Do not turn on any lights or appliances until an electrician
has checked the system for short circuits.
COVER BROKEN WINDOWS and holes in the roof or walls to prevent
further weather damage.
PROCEED WITH IMMEDIATE CLEAN-UP MEASURES to prevent any health
hazards. Perishable items pose a health problem and should be listed and photographed
before discarding. Throw out fresh food and medicines that have come in contact
with flood waters.
WATER FOR DRINKING AND FOOD PREPARATION should be used only if
the public water system has been declared safe. In an emergency, water may be obtained
by draining a hot water tank or melting ice cubes.
TAKE PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE TO YOUR BUILDING AND CONTENTS,. Refrigerators,
sofas and other hard goods should be hosed off and kept for the adjuster’s
inspection. Use a household cleanser to clean items to be kept. Any partially damaged
items should be dried and aired; the adjuster will make recommendations as to repair
or disposal.
TAKE ALL WOODEN FURNITURE OUTDOORS TO DRY, but keep it out of direct
sunlight to prevent warping. A garage or carport is a good place for drying. Remove
drawers and other moving parts as soon as possible, but do not pry open swollen
drawers from the front. Instead, remove the backing and push the drawers out.
SHOVEL OUT MUD WHILE IT IS STILL MOIST to give walls and floors
a chance to dry. Once plastered walls have dried, brush off loose dirt. Wash with
household cleanser and rinse with clean water; always start at the bottom and work
up. Ceilings are done last. Special attention must also be paid to cleaning out
heating ducts and plumbing systems.
MILDEW CAN BE REMOVED FROM DRY WOOD with a solution of 1 cup liquid
chlorine bleach, in 1 gallon of water.
CLEAN METAL AT ONCE then wipe with a kerosene-soaked cloth. A light
coat of oil will prevent iron from rusting. Scour all utensils, and, if necessary,
use fine steel wool on unpolished surfaces. Aluminum may be brightened by scrubbing
with a solution of vinegar, cream of tartar, and hot water.
QUICKLY SEPARATE ALL LAUNDRY ITEMS to avoid running colors. Clothing
or household fabrics should be allowed to dry (slowly, away from direct heat) before
brushing off loose dirt. If you cannot get a professional cleaner, rinse the items
in lukewarm water to remove lodged soil. Then wash with mild detergent; rinse and
dry in sunlight.
FLOODED BASEMENTS SHOULD BE DRAINED and cleaned carefully. Structural
damage will occur if water is pumped out too quickly. After the floodwaters around
your property have subsided, begin draining the basement in stages, about one-third
of the water volume each day.
|