Steps to take if you live in a flood zone

12/21/2022 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO® of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield shares ways to ensure safety and save property during flooding.

Flooding is one of the most common seasonal hazards, and restoration by professional teams is required. While it’s a terrible experience to have as a homeowner, flooding is frequent, especially during fall.

When flooding happens, it creates so much damage that some people have to start their home restoration process from ground zero. However, in some cases, the damage can be limited if people know the proper steps to take in the case of a flooding situation.

SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield shares tips that homeowners can use to handle flooding effectively.

1. Know the flooding situation in your area

To effectively handle a flooding situation, homeowners must know if their homes are in a flood zone. This information can be found on the FEMA flood map online. If the home is in a flood zone, being extra prepared will make handling the effects of flooding much more manageable.

2. Buy flood insurance

Many homeowners make the mistake of not buying flood insurance, thinking that home insurance is all they need. However, standard home insurance will not likely cover homes damaged by flood. Since flooding can be due to many factors, it is worthwhile to get flood insurance whether the home is located in a flood zone or not.

As a homeowner, having flood insurance will make it easy for the water damage restoration company you hire to file a claim on your behalf and help you with the whole process. A restoration company like SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield has a team of well-trained technicians who will put your needs first.

3. Stop water from entering your home

If there’s a flood warning in your area, one of the ways to handle flooding is to prevent water from minor floods from entering your home.

Here’s how to prepare your home:

1. To prevent water from entering your home through doors and windows, you can use sandbags and flood boards.
2. Air bricks should be sealed with cloths, towels, or plastic covers.
3. Plugs should be put in baths and sinks, and use a sandbag or plastic bag filled with a heavy object or garden soil.

4. Clean Your Gutters

Before heavy rainfall starts, you must clear out your gutters and drains. If there’s debris clogging your gutters, it can cause severe damage with heavy rains.

5. Evacuate if necessary

During a severe flooding situation, there should be an evacuation order. However, even if there’s no evacuation order for the whole area, you should evacuate if the flood water makes it difficult for you to move around your home.

If an evacuation is in place, relocate your family to a temporary shelter as soon as possible.

6. Protect your documents

Important documents should be kept in a waterproof container to avoid damage. In addition, your valuables should be moved to higher ground.

If your home has a second floor, moving electronics, books, and other things that can be damaged by water into it is a great measure. Otherwise, you can use the attic to store your valuables.

Get professional water damage restoration services in Montwood, El Paso, TX

SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield is one of Montwood, El Paso, TX’s leading seasonal hazards and restoration companies. They offer water damage restoration and cleanup services to residents and businesses that have had their properties damaged by flood water.

They have a team of well-trained professionals that will promptly respond to your call at any time of the day.

To learn more about their water restoration service, call SERVPRO of Southeast El Paso/Butterfield at (915) 234-2679.