Regardless of how many barriers exist, there’s always a chance your home could flood. You could become trapped, and that creates considerable health and safety risks. Let’s look at this topic a little closer.
Riding out a flood is a lot different than riding out a simple thunderstorm. As a result, your personal safety and health is not a guarantee. The damage, physical and to property, could become much more severe. Put your own safety first any time flooding threatens.
Why Flooding Causes Health Risks
Getting caught in any storm could cause you to get hurt or sick. However, when flooding occurs, this risk might become compounded. Water can come into your home, making it hard for you to seek a haven. Not only that, the results of a flood could make it harder to seek help.
- Flood water is not clean water. It’s often contaminated with debris, including waste and pollutants. Exposure to standing water could put you at risk of many illnesses or infections.
- Any water damage to perishable items means you can’t use them. You can’t consume saturated medication or food, or drink dirty water. So, your health safety decreases.
- If you rely on medical assistance, flood damage to these items might make them unusable. For example, a destroyed wheelchair ramp, can’t help anyone. You can’t use a sleep apnea machine if you don’t have power in the home. Those are both safety risks.
In essence, it’s not safe to stay in a flooded home. Those both with and without medical needs should not risk riding out a flood.
Don’t Doubt. Get Out.
Flooding often inhibits public safety operations. Hospitals, police and EMT services might operate beyond capacity. They might not be able to access your flooded home quickly in the event of an emergency.
So, if you have warning of flooding, think about evacuating. Most municipalities will issue evacuation orders ahead of time. It’s almost always in your interest to follow these, especially mandatory orders. Do what you can to secure your property, then get out. Take all necessary provisions with you. Don’t return until the flooding ends.
If you don’t have time to evacuate, or cannot because of limitations, call emergency services. Tell them you might become trapped in a flood, and if you have medical needs. They’ll be able to dispatch help to you as quickly as possible.
After the flooding is over, your Stuart flood insurance (if you have it) can help with clean up. But, in the meantime, take care of yourself first.