Floods - What to do?

Floods are the most frequent natural hazards in South Africa, and the most costly in terms of property damage.

Floods can occur in any region, in the countryside or in cities. In the past, floods have affected hundreds of thousands of South Africans. They can occur at any time of the year and are most often caused by heavy rainfall, rapid melting of a thick snow pack, ice jams, or more rarely, the failure of a natural or human-made dam.

All South African rivers experience flooding at one time or another. The potential for flood damage is particularly high where there is development on low-lying, flood-prone lands.

Flash or sudden flooding, in which warning time is extremely limited, can result from other causes such as hurricanes, violent rainstorms, or the bursting of dams.

Though all levels of government are working to reduce the impact of floods, individuals also play an important role. Everyone has a responsibility to protect their homes and their families.

You can greatly lessen the impact of a flood by taking the time to prepare in advance. This involves three basic steps:

• ●  Find out what to do before, during, and after a flood.

• ●  Make a family emergency plan, so that everyone knows what to do, and where to go in case of an emergency.

• ●  Get an emergency kit, so that you and your family can be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours during a flood. 

Planning for a flood will also help prepare you for many other types of emergencies. After reading this guide, keep it in a handy spot, such as in your emergency kit.

• Step 1: Know the risks and get prepared

  To get prepared for a flood, you should know the risks specific to your community and your region to help you better prepare.

  Before a flood

  To reduce the likelihood of flood damage

• ●  Put weather protection sealant around basement windows and the base of ground-level doors.

• ●  Install the drainage for downspouts a sufficient distance from your residence to ensure that water moves away from the building.

• ●  Consider installing a sump pump and zero reverse flow valves in basement floor drains.

● Do not store your important documents in the basement. Keep them at a higher level, protected from flood damage.

If a flood is forecast

• ●  Turn off basement furnaces and the outside gas valve.

• ●  Take special precautions to safeguard electrical, natural gas or propane heating

  equipment.

• ●  If there is enough time, consult your electricity or fuel supplier for instructions on how to

  proceed.

• ●  Shut off the electricity if flooding has not yet begun and the area around the fuse box is

  completely dry. Stand to the side of the breaker panel and look away from the panel when switching the power off. Have a flashlight with you.

  If flooding is imminent

• ●  Move furniture, electrical appliances and other belongings to floors above ground level.

• ●  Remove toxic substances such as pesticides and insecticides from the flood area to

  prevent pollution.

• ●  Remove toilet bowls and plug basement sewer drains and toilet connections with a

  wooden stopper.

• ●  Disconnect eavestroughs if they are connected to the house sewer.

• ●  In some cases, homes may be protected with sandbags or polyethylene barriers. Follow

  instructions from local emergency officials.

• ●  Do NOT attempt to shut off electricity if any water is present. Water and live electrical

  wires can be lethal. Leave your home immediately and do not return until authorities indicate it is safe to do so.

  During A Flood

• ●  Listen to the radio to find out what areas are affected, what roads are safe, where to go and what to do if the local emergency team asks you to leave your home.

  ●

• ●  Keep your emergency kit close at hand, in a portable container such as a duffel bag,

  backpack, or suitcase with wheels. If you need to evacuate

• ●  Vacate your home when you are advised to do so by local emergency authorities. Ignoring such a warning could jeopardize the safety of your family or those who might eventually have to come to your rescue.

• ●  Take your emergency kit with you.

• ●  Follow the routes specified by officials. Don't take shortcuts. They could lead you to a

  blocked or dangerous area.

• ●  Make arrangements for pets.

• ●  Time permitting, leave a note informing others when you left and where you went. If you

  have a mailbox, leave the note there. Never cross a flooded area

• ●  If you are on foot, fast water could sweep you away.

• ●  If you are in a car, do not drive through flood waters or underpasses. The water may be

  deeper than it looks and your car could get stuck or swept away by fast water.

• ●  Avoid crossing bridges if the water is high and flowing quickly.

• ●  If you are caught in fast-rising waters and your car stalls, leave it and save yourself and

  your passengers.

  After a Flood

  Re-entering your home

• ●  Do not return home until authorities have advised that it is safe to do so.

• ●  If the main power switch was not turned off prior to flooding, do not re-enter your home

  until a qualified electrician has determined it is safe to do so.

• ●  Use extreme caution when returning to your home after a flood.

• ●  Appliances that may have been flooded pose a risk of shock or fire when turned on. Do

  not use any appliances, heating, pressure, or sewage system until electrical components

  have been thoroughly cleaned, dried, and inspected by a qualified electrician.

• ●  The main electrical panel must be cleaned, dried, and tested by a qualified electrician to

  ensure that it is safe.

• ●  Depending on where you live, your municipal or the provincial inspection authority is

  responsible for the permitting process required before your electric utility can reconnect

  power to your home.

• ●  Ensure building safety

  Make sure the building is structurally safe.

• ●  Look for buckled walls or floors.

• ●  Watch for holes in the floor, broken glass and other potentially dangerous debris.

  Water

• ●  Flood water can be heavily contaminated with sewage and other pollutants. It can cause sickness and infections.

• ●  If your house has been flooded and you have a well, don't drink the water. Have it tested first.

• ●  Household items that have been flood-damaged will have to be discarded according to local regulations.

Documentation

• ●  Store all valuable papers that have been damaged in a freezer until needed. (After your cleanup, consult your lawyer to determine whether flood-damaged documents, or just the information in them, must be retained).

• ●  Record details of flood damage by photograph or video, if possible.

• ●  Register the amount of damage to your home with both your insurance agent and local

  municipality immediately.

  Step 2: Make an Emergency Plan

  Every South African household needs an emergency plan. It will help you and your family to know what to do in case of an emergency. Remember, your family may not be together when a flood or other emergency occurs.

  Start by discussing what could happen and what you should do at home, at school or at work if an emergency happens. To be prepared, make a list of what needs to be done ahead of time. Store important family documents, such as birth certificates, passports, wills, financial documents, insurance policies, etc. in waterproof container(s). Identify an appropriate out-of-town contact that can act as a central point of contact in an emergency.

  Write down and exercise your plan with the entire family at least once a year. Make sure everybody has a copy and keeps it close at hand.

  Step 3: Get an Emergency Kit

  In an emergency you will need some basic supplies. You may need to get by without power or tap water. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.

  You may have some of the items already, such as a flashlight, battery-operated radio, food and water. The key is to make sure they are organized and easy to find. Would you be able to find your flashlight in the dark?

  Make sure your kit is easy to carry. Keep it in a backpack, duffel bag or suitcase with wheels, in an easy-to-reach, accessible place, such as your front hall closet. Make sure everyone in the household knows where the emergency kit is.

  Basic emergency kit

• ●  Water – at least two litres of water per person per day. Include small bottles that can be carried easily in case of an evacuation order.

• ●  Food that won't spoil, such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods (remember to replace the food and water once a year).

• ●  Manual can opener.

• ●  Crank or battery-powered flashlight (and extra batteries).

• ●  Crank or battery-powered radio (and extra batteries).

• ●  First aid kit.

• ●  Special items such as prescription medications, infant formula and equipment for people

  with disabilities.

• ●  Extra keys to your car and house.

• ●  Cash in smaller bills, such as R10 bills and change for payphones.

• ●  A copy of your emergency plan and contact information