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Structural damage may have made the house unsafe;
electricity and gas may pose a threat; and snakes, animals and insects may have
taken up residence. Disaster recovery experts recommend a careful and
systematic approach when returning to any area after a storm or flood:
•Turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or
circuit breaker and turn off the gas. Call the utility company if you find
downed power lines or suspect a gas leak.
•Inspect the outside of the house before entering.
Look for cracks in the foundation and make sure that porch roofs and overhangs
are adequately supported.
•If you have any doubts about safety, have your residence
inspected by a qualified building inspector or structural engineer before
entering.
•Enter carefully. A stuck door may mean that the
ceiling is ready to cave in. Furniture and other large objects moved by the
flood water could fall, causing injury.
•Check ceilings for signs of sagging. Rain or deep
flooding may soak plaster and drywall. It is heavy and can cause injury if it
falls.
•Expect floors to be slippery and littered with
debris.
•Be on the lookout for snakes and wild and stray
animals, and remember that insects may have moved in while the house was empty.
•Do not use generators or other gasoline-powered
machines indoors. They emit carbon monoxide that can be deadly. All cooking on
camp stoves and charcoal grills should only be done outside.
•Groundwater creates enormous pressure on basement
walls and floors. Drain the basement no more than one foot per day to minimize
further damage.
•Floodwaters damage materials, leave mud, silt and
unknown contaminants and promote the growth of mold and mildew. Dry your home
to reduce these hazards and the damage they cause.
•The walls, floors, closets, shelves, contents and
any other parts of your home that have been flooded should be thoroughly washed
and disinfected.
•Unplug appliances and let them dry out. Have
appliances checked by a professional before using them again. Check with your
local power company before turning the power on.
•Check with local authorities before using any
water; the water could be contaminated. Pump out wells and have the water tested
by experts before drinking. Do not flush toilets until you know that sewage
lines are intact.
•Disinfect items that may have been contaminated by
raw sewage, bacteria, or chemicals. Also clean salvageable items. For more
information on mold prevention and other flooding cleanup issues, check out www,fema.gov.
•Keep good records of repair and cleaning costs
For more information on mold prevention and other
flooding cleanup issues, checkout with a professional.
This article was published on FEMA's website-Article
Dated July 2008
Federal Emergency Management Agency
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