Flood Damage Safety Tips for the North Texas Metroplex

Flood Safety Tips

Heavy rainfall is common in North Texas and Central Texas, where severe precipitation causes a great amount of property and water damage in the area. A flood is is a rise in water levels on land that is normally dry and not a water or flood plain. Floods are tremendous natural disasters that can have devastating effects on people and the local economy in the Dallas-Fort Worth areas. Loss of life is the worst consequence of flood damage, but others include loss of home, loss of livelihood, structural water damage to property, basement flooding, crawl space and more.

The force of moving water is great and is not only unsafeto drve through, but can also cause great structural damage to commercial and residential buildings.

Consider Flood Insurance for Your Dallas/Fort Worth Home

If you live in an area that is likely to flood, you may want to consider purchasing flood insurance. Your Dallas - Fort Worth homeowners’ insurance policy will not cover water damages caused by floods, so this additional policy that is backed by the federal government is available if your community participates in the NFIP or National Flood Insurance Program. It takes 30 days for flood insurance to take effect from the date of purchase, so plan accordingly.

Invest in Flood Safety Supplies

Invest in a flood emergency safety kit and add additional safety supplies to it that may be needed in a Dallas - Fort Worth flood situation, such as portable battery operated radio, extra batteries, and a flashlight. A disposable camera might come in handy when filing your flood damage insurance claim, to document flood water damages to your home and personal property.

Know Flood Terms

Learn flood terms and act accordingly. For example, "Flood Watch" means that flooding is possible. You should tune to your local Dallas - Fort Worth radio or TV station for information and instructions. "Flash Flood Watch" means that flash flooding is possible. You should be prepared to move to a higher ground and listen to local radio or TV information. "Flood Warning" means that flooding is either occurring or will occur in the very near future. If local authorities advise evacuation, you must do so without delay. "Flash Flood Warning" means that a flash flood is now taking place and you must seek higher ground at once.

Listen For Information About Flooded Roads

During a flood many roads, bridges and overpasses are damaged by floodwater, which can make driving hazardous. Listen to local Dallas Fort Worth radio for information on safe roads to take during a flood.

Do Not Walk or Drive Through Flood Waters

As little as six inches of moving water can sweep you off your feet. If you are outdoors, try to get to a higher ground. If you are in your car, abandon it and get to a higher ground. Remember: even trucks and SUV’s can be swept away and lose traction in as little as two feet of water.

Wear Protective Gear

After a Dallas Fort Worth flood, wearing gloves, rubber boots, goggles, and a mask is important for your safety. Flood water damage gives rise to mold and inhaling or touching mold may cause respiratory, skin, and other health problems. Flood water may also be contaminated with chemicals, bacteria and heavy metals. Protective gear is essential when clearing out contaminated flood water and debris.

Watch for Displaced Animals

Floods displace rodents, snakes, insects, and other animals and they may find shelter in your flooded home. So, approach your property cautiously.

Check for Flood Water Damages and Electricity Dangers

Following a flood, there are many potential dangers lurking in your Dallas Fort Worth home. Make sure to have an electrician check your electrical appliances and wires throughout the house prior to use after a flood. Do not flip switches, plug appliances or turn them on following flood water damage in your home. Be aware that when your home is flooded, any submerged outlets could be energizing the water, which is an extreme flood hazard.

Do Not Light an Open Flame

When entering a flooded Dallas property, use a flashlight. Do not light a candle or use open flame because there may be flammable gas inside the property that may cause an explosion or a fire emergency in addition to the flood emergency.

Call Dalworth For Flood Restoration Services and Structural Water Damages

After flooding, there could be both obvious structural damages as well as initially hidden ones. Structural house damages and problems may become apparent much later. A professional Dallas - Fort Worth water damage restoration company will be able to check the structural integrity of your home as well as check your crawl space, wet basement, sewage system, power and gas lines, foundation cracks, sagging wet ceilings, carpets and floors for damages and possible mold contamination. Water damage mitigation professionals in Dallas would also know to pump out flood water slowly and carefully from your basement, to minimize structural damage to your property and avoid walls caving in and collapsing.

Throw Out Contaminated Food and Water After a Flood

Following a flooding emergency, be aware that municipal Dallas & Fort Worth water may be contaminated. Until local officials confirm that city water is safe to consume, drink bottled water that has not come in contact with flood water. Discard any food item that could have come in contact with flood water. Keep in mind that any food or water that was not kept in water proof containers could be contaminated.