Preparation Tips for Flash Flooding | SERVPRO of Summerlin North/Sun City

11/21/2023 (Permalink)

The repercussions of flash flooding can be devastating to your home. Call SERVPRO of Summerlin North/Sun City today to restore the damage!

Floods can surprise us throughout the course of the year, mainly because we don’t get much rain on a regular basis! However, that’s what makes flash flooding conditions so prevalent in our area. 

The dry and arid ground can’t absorb a ton of water at once, and so it can be easily overwhelmed and the runoff can start to flow down the streets and into homes. 

Flash flooding situations can be scary when they happen, so knowing what to do before, during and after is key to staying safe. Our flood restoration team explains below some of the best things to do when flood conditions are present. 

How to Prepare 

Start preparing as soon as the flood watch or warning is issued, even if it hasn’t started raining yet. Conditions can deteriorate quickly and become dangerous in just a few minutes. Head for home if you aren’t there yet, and avoid low-lying areas and roads that are known to flood during storms. 

Tidy up your yard by moving any household objects, child’s toys and lawn equipment into your home or garage for safekeeping, and consider moving your car inside as well. It only takes about 12 inches of water to sweep away certain cars. 

Secure anything that can’t be moved in, like trampolines, grills and patio furniture. With the right wind and the perfect amount of fast-moving water, many of your possessions could float away if you aren’t careful. 

Waiting for the Water

Move any important documents or fragile keepsakes off of the ground and out of the lowest level of your home and gather your emergency kit. Flood situations can easily knock out power and create dangerous electrical situations, so be sure to have a flashlight on hand as well. 

After that, sit tight in a higher room in your home and keep your weather radio nearby. If water does start rushing in under your doors or starts flooding into your basement, try to stay calm and stay above the water line. Eventually the water will stop flowing in and the storm will move on. 

Move cautiously around your home as you assess the damage, taking care to avoid walking through the water if possible. If you must walk through the water to get out safely, find a pair of sturdy boots to put on. Floodwater can have sharp debris, toxic substances and other dangerous materials lurking beneath the surface. 

What to Do After a Flood

The best thing to do is to take pictures of the damage right away and then give us a call. The fresh images can help us better understand your situation, but they can also help ensure your insurance claim is being processed as accurately as possible.

Once we arrive, our main focus is to secure your home from further damage while we work on extracting the excess water. Our team can tarp over your roof, board up windows and remove any possessions in the affected room to prevent unnecessary damage. 

We are also trained in proper document drying techniques as well as upholstery drying and cleaning. 

Now that the water is gone and your possessions are dry, we can get started on repairs. Even just a few inches of standing water can ruin carpets, walls and floorboards. 

We can replace all of this for you as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Once we are finished, we can even sanitize your space to prevent mildew and mold growth. We truly always have your back.
 

Floodwater can be dangerous and damaging. Contact SERVPRO of Summerlin North/Sun City today.