Features of a Flood Plain

You can tell many flood plains just by their locations, such as those near river banks, or oceans. Low lying areas such as coastal terrain are susceptible to flooding. Cities that are below sea level such as Galveston or New Orleans are more prone to flooding problems than cities further inland.

By contrast, heavy downpours from storms or hurricanes that come inland and dump huge amounts of rain in hills or mountains, such as places in California, can cause major mudslides and flooding, yet most mountains and hills are obviously not in a flood plain. In addition, hurricanes, tidal waves, and tsunamis cause major flooding almost every year throughout various parts of the world and cause flooding in areas that have never flooded.

If your home has flooded and it is safe to return (you should follow city plans for announcements and warnings), there are some things you can do to minimize further damage to floors and walls, as well as prevent some health problems. But before you start, be sure and take pictures of all damaged areas. You may need them for insurance purposes.

• First, be sure to check with local authorities to see if your tap water is safe to drink or use in washing.
• Check with local authorities to make sure there has been no chemical or gas spill in your area that would make it unsafe.
• Before starting the cleaning process, you should wear protective clothing like rubber boots, gloves and a mask. Flood waters can bring in a host of bacteria and harmful insects (such as fire ants) and snakes.
• Open all the windows and doors to air out your home. The quicker it starts drying out, the less time mold will have to get a stronghold.
• Throw away any spoiled food and wash and dry any cans that may have been in flood water.
• Use very hot water to wash all utensils and dishes that have been in flood water and if possible, boil them to sterilize.
• Throw away any item that cannot be properly dried out to prevent mold. This might include mattresses, pillows, and some furniture.
• Pull out carpeting and wash the slab with a bleach solution, which consists of 3/4 cup of liquid bleach and 1 cup trisodium phosphate (a cleaning agent which is good on oil and grease) to 1 gallon of water. Bleach kills mold that may have started growing which can cause health issues. Baseboards and wood flooring will most likely have to be torn out and replaced, so washing them with bleach to prevent mold is also a good idea until they can be taken up.
• Wash walls and countertops with bleach solution.
• Wash any outdoor furniture, swing sets, and toys with bleach solution. With the same solution, wash down patios, decks, driveways and garage floors.
• All surfaces that are washed with bleach should be left to dry at least 2 minutes (more outside), then rinsed and dried.