Worst-Case Scenario: How to Survive a Flash Flood

Today's blog comes from a guest blogger. Thank you Aaron for jumping in and helping out with my March Series!

You may have seen the news recently about the severe flash flooding that plagued the UK last month causing February 2014 to be officially reported as the "wettest winter in records since 1910." (
Source) Consequently, serious flood warnings are still in place and thousands of homes have been rendered uninhabitable due to the disastrous conditions that normally accompany such extreme weather. During its most dangerous and calamitous period, the UK Environment Agency set up its own interactive online map where you could input your zip code to gauge how much danger your household could be in if the flood waters continued to rise.

No matter your age, gender or social status, when the living conditions of people from around the globe are threatened, our collective "survival of the fittest" human nature becomes apparent, and we as a species endeavor to do our best to combat whatever Mother Nature throws at us. In cases such as this, when vicious conditions become more destructive and take a turn for the worse, any notions of complacency we experience in our everyday lives immediately crumble, and our fight-or-flight instincts kick in instead. We typically start imagining what we would do if we were in the same awful situation. If continuous rainstorms hit the city you reside in over the course of multiple successive days, how would your housing community cope? Do you think you would personally fare well?

If you believe that you would be ill prepared to survive if a flash flood strikes, here are some basic tips that will make your living situation more comfortable.

Before a flood:

1. If your home is flooded, it is essential that you keep as warm and dry as possible, especially if your temperature starts to plummet. Therefore, before a flood, have thick, warm clothes on standby so that you feel comfortable at all times, and make sure that they are easily located so you do not waste time looking for them during times of crisis.
2. Ensure you turn off the electricity source via the fuse box or main breaker, so you can turn it back on at your own discretion. If this is not possible, have your electricity turned off by the power company.
3. Be watchful for any up-to-the-minute changes in weather through the radio or TV, so you can be aware if the present conditions are about to get better or worse. Purchase a spare cell phone specifically in case of weather-related emergencies. Think of keeping a few spare batteries as well, and make sure that these are all fully charged and easy to locate.
4. Collect together an extensive group of items for a dedicated Basic Disaster Supplies Kit. It should include first aid supplies, warm blankets, maps, matches, a fire starter kit, a whistle, water filtration tablets, flashlights, candles and non-perishable food items. Also, make certain that you are familiar with the American Red Cross "Repairing Your Flooded Home" guide.

After a flood:

1. Stay away from any places hit by water damage, as you could unintentionally injure yourself or accidentally cause more damage to the surrounding area. Only move around within areas that have not been flooded (if possible). Remember that floodwaters may be filled with debris, raw sewage, gasoline or other unidentifiable things that may prove hazardous to your health.
2. When flood waters have ebbed away, take into consideration that there are still various risks and dangers present, so stay away from power lines and electrical wires. Be aware of roads that may have become unsafe or structurally unsound.
3. Do not use wet household appliances until they have completely dried out. In certain cases, some items may have to be taken apart and cleaned before you try using them again. Clean and disinfect as much as you can.
4. To help you to process any insurance claims, make sure that all-important paperwork is kept safely under lock and key away from potential water damage.

We will all face dangerous types of weather sometime in the future, be it a sudden blizzard, a relentless heat wave, or an unexpected flash flood. Flooding can unfortunately strike many parts of the world in different ways, and it will not matter if you live within a rural area or in the city, everyone will be affected when the waters start to rise. If a flash flood were to occur tomorrow, would you able to handle yourself and take care of your loved ones? With a little planning and through visualizing some of the worst-case scenarios you could encounter, you should be able to decrease the amount of danger you may find yourself in, as well as making your life a bit more well-organized and tolerable during the difficult days ahead.



About My Blog Guest:

Aaron Bercovich is the owner of Primed Food, an online supplier offering a large selection of disaster food rations suitable for campers, hunters and hikers, including survival kits, military food, fire starter kits and water filtration products.