Avoid driving through or walking through floodwaters, which can be electrically charged from downed or underground power lines; contain debris like glass, dead animals or even poisonous snakes; or be contaminated with sewage and hazardous chemicals. Just six inches of moving water can knock down a person, and a foot of fast-moving water can destabilize a vehicle.
Don’t enter your house until officials say it is safe to do so. To avoid electrical hazards from flooding, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker, or ask for professional help to do so. Go inside with caution: Don’t touch electrical equipment, and instead of using something flammable to see, use a flashlight
Before beginning cleanup and debris removal, take photographs of your home and contact your insurance company. Then start to go through your belongings, and, when in doubt, throw it out.
Only canned and well-packaged foods are safe to consume after a flood. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises throwing away any food that may have come in contact with water. If cans get wet, remove their labels and wash them in a bleach solution to be safe.
Waterborne diseases are also a risk, so drink only fresh, bottled water. If this is not accessible, boil water according to C.D.C. guidelines.
Hazardous chemicals, mold, asbestos and lead paint are all potential dangers after a flood, so follow official recommendations and wear gloves, eye protection and face masks on any flood-damaged property. Air out and remove all water-damaged items. This is the most important step toward minimizing mold, which can cause eye and skin irritation, asthma attacks and allergic reactions.