4 Tips To Protect Your Home From a Flood

10/21/2020 (Permalink)

Utility room water loss after a storm in Maple Lake, MN

Protect Your Home And Family From A Major Storm

Flood safety measures can help keep your family safe in the event of a major storm in Wright County. Flooding is common in coastal areas, especially during hurricane season. However, severe storms and flooding happen here as well in our variety of seasons. When rivers, streets, or landscapes become overrun with water, it can lead to residential and commercial flooding. Water damage is so common that federal flood insurance claims between 2006 and 2015 averaged $1.9 billion each year. Here are four safety tips to help protect your home from rising water.

1. Consider the Flood Level
Use the FEMA flood map to determine if your home sits in a flood plain. If it does, you may need to take additional precautions to flood-proof your home. Even if you are not in a flood plain, you still need to prepare for the possibility of a flood.

2. Protect Electrical Systems
All electrical wiring, sockets, switches, and circuit breakers should be installed at least 1 foot above the expected flood level in your area. If your electrical systems are too close to the ground and become submerged during a flood, they could pose an electrocution hazard.

3. Elevate Appliances
Some indoor and outdoor equipment can be raised to protect it from floodwater. Machines such as generators, air conditioners, furnaces, and water heaters can be modified to sit above your flood level. For additional flood safety, anchor these devices to your home. If flooding is imminent, you can temporarily raise appliances like refrigerators, washers, and driers by placing them on top of concrete blocks.

4. Evaluate Your Landscape
Ensure that water runs away from your home during a storm. If you find water is collecting near your foundation, you may need to make adjustments to flood proof your home. Consider sloping your yard or installing longer drainpipes to reroute the water away from your house.
As a homeowner, you can utilize flood safety techniques to help protect your home and family during a flood. If your home has already sustained water damage, call a professional water remediation company to restore your home to its pre-flood condition.