We certainly do not need to remind anyone of the devastation that hurricanes produce, however, if you live in a location that puts your home at risk of flooding, it is very important to be prepared for what to expect upon returning to a flooded home.
When you first return to a flood-damaged property be extra cautious. Although the neighborhood is probably without power, you will still want to be sure that all gas and electricity have been turned off in your home. However, if you must put yourself at risk or stand in water to access the circuit breaker, it is safer to just leave it until you have consulted a professional about what action to take.
Another safety concern you may encounter when returning to a flooded home is structural instability. Even if it doesn’t look too bad from the outside, the house may have sustained considerable damage on the inside. For example, a ceiling may be about to collapse. One indication of this would be if the door sticks at the top when you try to open it. If you experience this, it would be safer not to enter the building at all but wait for someone professional to help you.
These are just a couple of preliminary steps to take when entering a flooded home. In our next blog, we will discuss more on this topic.