Disaster Recovery - The Days After Flooding

The days immediately following a flood are the most crucial to the potential for recovering any personal property that may be damaged by the floodwaters. Hurried recovery tactics, however, can lead to further damage of your property and potential harm to yourself and your loved ones. To recover from a flood safely and affectively:

1. Determine the type of flood experienced

2. Assess the damage that has occurred

3. Determine the safest way to salvage belongings

Determine The Type of Flood Experienced

Floods vary by origin and damage. Floods can develop slowly and take days to reach their final peak. Flash floods, on the other hand, come about within a matter of minutes from seemingly nowhere, typically caused by a surge in rainfall in dry areas. Floods that occur near a defined lake or river are called overland floods and are often weather related. Levee and dam breaks can also create flooded areas.

Stagnant floodwaters can be contaminated by oils, fuels or sewage. If the flood is accompanied by a hurricane, earthquake or severe storm, downed power lines can also electrically charge the water making it entirely unsafe. Also, be wary of any wild animals in post-flood areas. Experts recommend residents avoid all areas with remaining floodwater until it recedes and never enter moving floodwater as it can very easily cause a loss of footing.

Dry areas may also be potentially dangerous after a flood, depending on the severity. Floodwaters can erode roads and walkways, making them dangerous to traverse. Buildings can also be damaged.

Assess the Damage That Has Occurred

Never immediately enter your home or office after a flood - the floors and stairs may have sustained damage and may no longer be safe. Instead, walk a safe distance around your home's foundation and check for loose or downed power lines, gas leaks, structural damage, and any other potentially dangers. Call a qualified building inspector or structural engineer if you suspect your building has sustained any dangerous flood damage.

Once it has been determined that entering your home or office building is safe, the next step is to assess the damage sustained to your valuables and personal belongings. Not all damage means utter ruin. Water damaged photos, books or documents may not necessarily need to be thrown out. Proper document recovery techniques and document restoration companies can help you stem the loss of your most beloved belongings. Seek out a professional to help you determine if any of your essential materials can be saved, even if you believe them to be beyond repair. Quick response and attention to important pieces may make the difference in its potential for restoration.

Determine The Safest Way To Salvage Belongings

A dedicated document restoration service will be able to help you determine the best system for saving your belongings. Many believe that the best technique for recovering your water-damaged personal effects is the desiccant air dry distribution system. Not all companies offer this recovery service. The desiccant air dry technique is an energy-efficient and safe way of removing moisture from the air surrounding your belongings, allowing the water that is trapped inside them to evaporate quickly and harmlessly.

When looking for a restoration specialists make sure the system they use completely dries the materials. Mold damage can occur long after a flood if valuables are not completely dry before they are returned.

Simple steps taken in the first few days after a flood can make a big difference in the long-term detriment the waters cause a family, home or office.

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Disaster Floods, Mold and Animals

Tropical Storm Fay is a good example of a disaster. She stayed in certain areas and dumped more than 20 inches of rain. This level of rainwater is impossible to contain with a regular drainage system, the ground tends to become saturated and drainage will take over. In reality, there is just too much water. The local drainage was not designed to handle this much rain water. Result, massive backup of the runoff water which leads to flooding. This type of flooding is not preventable due to the structure of the drainage systems that were designed for normal conditions.

Next question is; What do we do next if your home has become flooded. First, try to stop the water source if possible. If you can't evacuate to higher ground. For information on flooding go to FEMA's Website on floods, they have excellent information and a tool to give you an estimate about the approximate cost of the damage from the flood to your home, try it. Example: 6 inches of water is $11,480.00. Cool Tool! Try it, you'll like it. The important thing to remember, carry Flood Insurance, I do and I live in Florida. Most people do not realize that their Homeowners' Policy excludes floods from exterior rising water.

If you are experiencing a flood, common sense tells you to move all items to higher elevation if you can. I have dealt with many floods in homes from plumbing breaks, guess what, most people just look at it and do nothing except call someone to clean it up. Remember, your insurance policy states that you must try to protect your possessions from further damage or they will deny that portion of the claim. I have seen this happen. Check with your Homeowners Insurance Company for clarification on their policy of dealing with floods or plumbing leaks. Always have your Insurance coverage analyzed by your agent to keep it current with rising inflation.

Mold is the result from a flood if it is not dried up within 72 hours. In the case of flooding by Tropical Storm Fay, it is impossible to do this because the damage was on a massive scale. There just isn't enough manpower and equipment to solve this problem quickly. Just try to protect your irreplaceable items. Remember, use common sense.

Animals such as snakes and rats will run from a flood. In Florida, we have also have to worry about alligators. If you are walking in a flooded area, be aware of your surroundings for these creatures. Don't be surprised if you find rats in your home, they will find any small hole into your home to stay dry. The problem with that is, snakes follow the rats for a food source. Be careful, I was in a flooded area last week and saw a rattlesnake in the backyard, he was sunning himself in a dry area of the yard. I remember once walking up on a Lynx, not a good experience. He was trying to stay dry on a back porch, all I did was stop and then walk backwards slowing. He took off and was history. Like I say, be aware of your surroundings. Forget your IPOD, you must be in tune with your surroundings and listen or you will get hurt. If you are listening to music, you will never hear that distinctive rattle sound of a rattlesnake before he bites you.

Remediation is impossible till the water recedes. If you must enter these environments, wear a HEPA rated respirator. I do not use or recommend the N95 masks that some people recommend; they never fit tightly against your face for good protection. Better to be safe than sorry in the long run. Safety goggles will help prevent exposure to your eyes from mold spores. After Hurricane Wilma, I investigated many homes that flooded from roof leaks or the roofs blew off. Mold was everywhere, total loss in most cases.I have lots of pictures if anyone is interested. Will post them to the website under Hurricane Wilma. Imagine your home with black mold growing from floor to ceiling, get the picture. It is not a pretty picture to see peoples' entire lives destroyed.

In conclusion, floods can be a dangerous place in a rural area. You will have to deal with more than mold and water, such as rats, snakes and alligators. When the waters recede, be very careful going through your personal possessions. You might find an uninvited guest in your home.Be sure to hire a licensed, certified Remediator to handle the job. They should have credentials such as the Indoor Air Quality Association. No credentials, don't hire them. Make them show you their credentials. If they earned them, they will show you. I personally have them with me at all times. Too many people were burned by the last couple of hurricanes here by phony remediators.

I hope this information will make you more aware of what you pick up and where you walk. Stay out of palmettos and tall brushes. If you have any questions, call me at (954) 531-6476.

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