Flood Resources
Nicor Gas Flood Safety Information – safetyinformationnotice051
Fema Flood Damage Avoidance – flood_damage
Disaster Recover Information from the Attorney General – disaster_recovery
National Weather Service Flood Safety Home Page – http://www.floodsafety.noaa.gov/
Ameren Power Safety – http://www.ameren.com/Outage/ADC_FAQs_PowerOutage.asp
Safety Tips for Flood Victims – http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/fema/flood.html
Preventing sewer backup
Sewer backup often occurs when storm water enters the sanitary sewer and causes an overload of water in the system. The overloaded system begins to backflow into household lines, causing sewer water to enter basements.
One way to prevent sewer backup in your home is to plug or cap all sewer openings in the basement. This includes floor drains, toilets, sinks, showers, etc. After lifting toilets and taking off sink traps, you can cap openings with wooden plugs, expandable plugs, screwed caps or by other methods.
NATURAL GAS SAFETY
Appliance control manufacturers recommend that a trained service professional replace all controls that have been submerged in water. Manufacturers warn that these appliance controls will corrode over time, causing gas valve failure and dangerous natural gas leaks. Appliance controls are often at the bottom of the appliance, and the appliance itself does not have to be submerged for appliance controls to be submerged. If water has reached the appliance controls, contact your gas company to disconnect the natural gas service.
To report a natural gas emergency or gas odor, call your gas company. If you get faint whiffs of natural gas, investigate. If possible, follow the scent to its source, which could be a burned out pilot light or a burner valve that’s only partially turned on. Both are problems that you can easily and safely correct. However, if the odor persists and you can’t locate the source, get everyone out-of-doors immediately.
Do not use light switches, electrical appliances or telephones, including cell phones. Do not light a match, and extinguish cigarettes immediately. Get a safe distance away and call to report the problem. Do not re-enter your home until an gas company representative or your local emergency responders say it’s safe.
After a Flood
Call in a qualified heating professional to check your furnace and any natural gas appliances that were submerged. Never attempt to turn the natural gas back on yourself. Your natural gas utility will do it for you to make sure your service is safe and reliable.
Before using any electricity after a flood, have a qualified electrician check the wiring and related equipment to make sure it’s safe. If your power was out because of a flood, you will be required to have a certified inspector check your electrical wiring and equipment before your gas company can restore power to your house.
ELECTRICAL FLOOD SAFETY
Do Not Walk Through Flowing Water
Drowning is the number one cause of flood deaths. Most occur during flash floods. Six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. Use a pole or stick to make sure that the ground is still there before you go through an area where the water is not flowing.
Do Not Drive Through a Flooded Area
Most people drown in their cars than anywhere else. Don’t drive around road barriers; the road or bridge may be washed out.
Stay Away From Power Lines and Electrical Wires
Electrocution is also a major killer in floods. Electrical current can travel through water. Report downed power lines to your utility company or local emergency manager.
Turn Off Your Electricity When You Return Home
Some appliances, such as television sets, can shock you even after they have been unplugged. Don’t use appliances or motors that have gotten wet unless they have been taken apart, cleaned, and dried.
Watch for Animals, Especially Snakes
Small animals that have been flooded out of their homes may seek shelter in yours. Use a pole or stick to poke and turn items over and scare away small animals.
Look Before You Step
After a flood, the ground and floors are covered with debris including broken bottles and nails. Floors and stairs that have been covered with mud can be very slippery.
Be Alert for Gas Leaks
Use a flashlight to inspect for damage. Don’t smoke or use candles, lanterns, or open flames unless you are sure that the gas has been turned off and the area has been aired out.
Carbon Monoxide Exhaust Kills
Use a generator or other gasoline-powered machine outdoors. The same goes for camping stoves. Fumes from charcoal are especially deadly — cook with charcoal only outdoors.
Clean Everything That Get Wet
Floodwaters have picked up sewage and chemicals from roads, farms, factories, and storage buildings. Spoiled food and flooded cosmetics and medicines are health hazards. When in doubt, throw them out.
Take Good Care of Yourself
Recovering from a flood is a big job. It is tough on both the body and the spirit. And the effects a disaster has on you and your family may last a long time. Learn how to recognize and care for anxiety, stress, and fatigue.
Note On Flood Insurance
Most homeowner’s insurance policies do NOT offer protection against flood losses. For information about flood insurance, call your local insurance agent, or call the National Flood Insurance Program at (800) 638-6620.