3-Step Flood Preparation Checklist

Floods are dangerous and one of the biggest sources of property damage each year in the United States. Business owners in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to keep their teams safe and protect their property. In this article, we’ll discuss what property owners in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, should do during a flood, what supplies they should keep on hand, and what to do after a flood. The more prepared you are for a flood, the less stressed you’ll be if you’re ever in one.

Supplies You Need for a Flood

First things first — preparedness is key when dealing with a flood. Both homeowners and business owners should create an evacuation plan in case of a flood. You should also gather some supplies to keep on hand. Some essential items include:

• A three-day supply of food and water for each person in your building (one gallon per person)
• A first-aid kit
• A flashlight
• A week’s supply of any essential medications
• Personal hygiene and sanitation items
• Extra batteries and phone chargers
• A physical copy of family and emergency contacts for your employees
• Emergency cash
• Maps of the area
• A multi-purpose tool
• A hand-crank radio
• Emergency blankets

Packing these items ready to go in a bag will save you precious time when evacuating a flooded area. It will also give you peace of mind that your team has everything they need during a flood event.

Actions To Take During a Flood

If you see flood warnings in your area, you should monitor the radio or news channel closely and be prepared to evacuate immediately. You should also:

• Be ready to grab your emergency supplies and evacuate your building immediately.
• Unplug any electrical items in your building.
• Relocate any essential or valuable equipment to a higher floor
• Avoid using elevators.
• Refrain from driving through any water, especially if it’s above your ankles.
• Head for high ground with your employees and stay in place.
• Make sure that everyone is accounted for and uninjured.
• Listen to the National Weather Service (NWS) on your radio to stay informed about the flood.
• Keep everyone away from the water.

Try to avoid driving at night if possible. Floodwater can be difficult to see, and you can quickly lose control of your car if the water is even 6 inches high.

What To Do After a Flood

After a flood, it may be challenging to know what to do next. You should only return to your building once officials declare it safe. Once you’re back, you should:

• Inspect the outside of your building before entering to make sure there aren’t damaged power lines or gas lines.
• Refrain from entering your building if you can see visible damage to supports or the roof.
• Call the fire department if you smell natural gas or propane.
• Avoid stepping in any standing water.
• Contact any contractors or utility companies for necessary repairs.
• Clean and dry any important equipment.
• Clear debris from your building.
• Run dehumidifiers throughout the building.
• Check with the local officials whether your tap water is safe to drink.

You should also contact a local flood mitigation company if your property is damaged. There’s only so much property owners can do to fix flood damage without professional help. A flood mitigation expert can dry out your building properly and minimize or reverse damage to your property.

Why Choose iSTORMWATER for Flood Mitigation Services?

If your commercial building has flooded, don’t wait to get help. iSTORMWATER is a trusted source for flood mitigation services in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. We’ll provide upfront, detailed cost estimates, a thorough explanation of our services, and a timeline for your flood mitigation work. Our highly trained team will work hard to restore your business to its former condition.

Contact us online or call 443-699-2828 today to request flood mitigation services.