January 4, 1999
Tips for flood safety
The Seattle-King County Chapter of the American Red Cross wants people to be aware of the possibility of flooding in our area and be prepared if a flood should happen.
After a flood
- 80% of those people who die as a result of flooding are in vehicles. If you come upon a barricade, turn around and go another way. If you come upon flood waters, do not drive through them; the road could be washed out underneath.
- If you are advised to leave before flooding occurs, do so right away.
- Only if you have time, bring valuables and furniture to higher levels of your home; turn off the electrical power at the main source; secure the building.
The American Red Cross is a non-profit, humanitarian organization that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. It is not a government agency and all Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary contributions of time and money from the American people.
- Stay away from flooded areas until local authorities way it is safe to return. Avoid driving through flooded areas to check damage, as you may impede emergency response and cleanup efforts.
- Before entering a flooded home, walk around it first to inspect the outside for potential cracked or failing foundation. Do not enter a home where you suspect structural damage. Have a professional engineer or architect check it out first.
- Turn off electrical power at the main fuse or circuit breaker box, even if power is off in the area. That way, you can control when power is restored to your home to avoid potential electrical shock and fire. Use a wooden stick to turn off power if there is water anywhere near the fuse/breaker box.
- If the furnace has been damaged by a flood, avoid the urge to test it by turning it on. Unseen flood damage can destroy a furnace if it is turned on before the damage is repaired. Have a professional check out the furnace first.
- Avoid the urge to use portable space heaters. Do not use them to "dry out" a house. That can actually cause more damage, or possibly a fire. If you must use a space heater, keep it at least three feet away from anything that is combustible and do not drape anything over it, such as wet clothing, to dry.
- Call your local Red Cross Chapter to obtain a copy of After a Flood: the First Steps for information on immediate safety and cleanup tips.
- Homeowners may request a free copy of Repairing Your Flooded Home in English or Spanish from their local Chapter, as well.
For more information, call: Seattle-King County Chapter, 206-323-2345; or Snohomish County Chapter, 425-252-4103.