Preparing for a Flood

Flood Insurance

Did You Know?

• 90% of all Presidentially-declared disasters included flooding.
• 90% of all disasters are not Presidentially-declared.
• Floods are the most common natural disaster.
• Just in the last two years, floods have hit homes and businesses in all 50 states.
• Floods and flash floods kill more people in the United States than any other natural disaster.
• Floods do not only occur near bodies of water. Heavy rainfall can flood entire cities.
• Unanticipated flooding can happen in areas previously considered out of flood reach.
• Construction and erosion can change water’s natural running patterns.
• About one in four flood disasters occur in areas with a low to moderate risk of flooding.
• Property damage from flooding now totals more than $1 billion in the United States.
• Flood insurance policies normally take 30 days from the date of purchase to go into effect. Do not wait until a flood hits to get covered.
• The most dangerous type of flooding is a flash flood, which usually occurs within minutes or hours of a heavy rainfall, a dam or dike failure or a large break in an ice jam.
• Disaster assistance is provided in Presidentially-declared disaster areas. However, if you receive disaster assistance, you are not eligible for it again for the next 3 years. You need flood insurance to cover damage should your home flood again in the 3 years following a Presidentially-declared disaster.
• Flood insurance covers more damage than disaster assistance. A home with flood insurance may be covered for $250,000, whereas, the same house would be covered for $35,000 with federal assistance.
• The City of Wood River strictly prohibits the dumping of any kind of debris in drainage ditches. When debris accumulates in the drainage ditches the ditches cannot store water thereby causing more flooding.

Estimated Cost of Coverage

Prepare for a Flood

• Keep emergency building supplies on hand, such as lumber, plywood, nails, hammer, saw, sandbags, shovel, crowbar and plastic sheeting.
• Plan an evacuation route and meeting place. Practice the plan with your family.
• Keep an emergency weather alert radio on hand. Be sure to always have backup batteries.
• Make a written and video inventory. Keep insurance policies and a list of personal property in a safe location outside your home.
• Prevent floodwater backup by having check valves installed in your plumbing.
• Move electrical system components to a higher location. If possible, secure shelves and water heaters to walls.

During a Flood

• Listen to your radio or TV for emergency information. Evacuate immediately if told to do so.
• Do not walk or drive through floods. Even 6 inches of moving water is dangerous.
• Move to higher ground.
• Avoid storm drains and sewers.
• Look out for snakes and animals that seek shelter in your home.
• Keep away from power lines.
• Do not enter buildings surrounded by flood water.

After a Flood

• Wait for the water to go down before entering your home.
• Report downed power lines and gas leaks.
• Turn off the electricity at the main breaker or fuse box. If you have to step in water to get to your electric box, call an electrician.
• Turn off the gas if you have gas appliances. Then clean the mud out of the pilot and burners.
• Check for structural damage.
• Check the ceiling for signs of sagging. Poke a hole at the edge of the sag to drain water.
• Find and protect the "irreplaceable" valuables such as money, jewelry, insurance papers, photographs and family heirlooms. Then freeze them in plastic bags to protect them from mildew and further damage.
• Circulate air through your home by opening windows.
• Patch holes in the roof, walls or windows with boards, tarps or plastic sheeting.
• Repair sagging floors or roof sections with 4x4s to brace weak areas.
• Remove debris such as tree limbs or other trash.
• Check for broken or leaking water pipes. Do not drink, clean dishes, wash clothes or cook with tap water until it has been declared safe.
• Drain water in your basement slowly and carefully. Pump 2 to 3 feet of water out and wait overnight. If the water level has risen, it is too early to drain your basement. Draining basements too early may result in serious structural damage.
• Shovel out as much mud as possible.
• Hose the house down, inside and out.
• Hose heating and air conditioning ducts which may have mud in them to rid them of health hazards.
• Hose out light sockets and electrical boxes. First, make sure the electricity is off.
• Wash ducts work with a disinfectant or sanitizer, such as the quaternary, phenolic or pine oil-based cleaners.
• Keep records of damage to the building, damage to the contents, receipts for cleanup and restoration expenses, such as material, labor and equipment rental, and receipts for flood-related expenses such as motel bills.
• Replace wallboard which can act like a sponge and soak up health hazards in water.
• Allow wood to dry naturally. It will usually regain its original shape.
• Collect cleaning supplies such as brooms, mops, brushes, sponges, buckets, hoses, rubber gloves, rags, cleaning products, disinfectants, lubricating oil, trash bags and a hair dryer.
• Clean and disinfect everything in you house, including the walls, floors, closest, shelves, contents-every flooded part of your house.

Is Your House Substantially Damaged?

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The City of Wood River, Illinois
111 North Wood River Avenue
Wood River, Illinois  62095
(618) 251-3100

This page last modified 06/30/08 .
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