| Many things can be done before the snow | | | | the lawn. |
| melts or before a heavy rainstorm to | | | | Prepare appliances for flooding. |
| reduce damage to home and property. This | | | | Shut off appliances at the fuse box or |
| checklist can help you prepare to reduce | | | | breaker panel. Put freezers, washer, |
| the severity of water or a flood on your | | | | dryers and other appliances up on wood |
| home and family. | | | | or cement blocks to keep the motors |
| Home Check your sump pump. | | | | above the water level. If high water is |
| Clean the sump pump and pit, and test | | | | imminent and large appliances can't be |
| the pump by pouring water into the pit. | | | | moved, wrap them in polyethylene film, |
| Consider having a spare submersible | | | | tying the film in place with cord or |
| portable sump pump. Make sure the | | | | rope. The water will still get in, but |
| discharge hose delivers the water | | | | most of the silt won't so cleanup will |
| several feet away from the house to a | | | | be easier. |
| well-drained area that slopes away from | | | | Shut off electricity to areas of the |
| the house. If the hose outlet is too | | | | home that might flood. |
| close to the house foundation or on flat | | | | Even if floodwaters are not reaching |
| ground, the water may simply recycle | | | | electrical outlets, the risk of |
| down through the house drain tile. Don't | | | | electrical shock to someone working in a |
| run sump pump water into a rural septic | | | | flooded basement is high with electric |
| system because the water may saturate | | | | motors in the furnace, freezer, washer, |
| the drain field. In cities, running sump | | | | dryer and other appliances. Shut off |
| pump water into the sanitary system may | | | | electrical breakers or unscrew fuses. |
| overload the system and cause sewage | | | | Don't stand in water and turn off |
| backup, plus it may be illegal. | | | | electrical switches. If this must be |
| Move valuables to higher locations. | | | | done, use a dry piece of wood or a |
| Get items such as irreplaceable family | | | | plastic or rubber pole to do the |
| photo albums, high school yearbooks, | | | | switching, and stand on a block of wood |
| personal videotapes, tax records, | | | | or a plastic crate that doesn't conduct |
| insurance policies and household | | | | electricity. If floodwaters are getting |
| inventories off the bottom shelves in | | | | close to the electrical entrance box, |
| the lower level of your home. | | | | call the power supplier and have the |
| Plug basement floor drains with | | | | electrical supply to the house |
| removable grids. | | | | disconnected. If the floor is damp but |
| A flexible rubber ball about 11 times | | | | not really flooded, ground fault circuit |
| the inside diameter of the pipe can be | | | | interrupters reduce the risk of using |
| wedged into the drain to create a tight | | | | electricity. In newer homes, |
| seal. The pressure might be quite high | | | | interrupters can be identified by the |
| so brace the ball securely with a 2X4 | | | | buttons between the top and bottom |
| against the ceiling. Hold a board or | | | | outlets. They can be added to any outlet |
| piece of plywood on the ceiling and | | | | or in an extension cord to turn off the |
| slide the 2X4 against the bottom of the | | | | power if there's danger of water. |
| board to avoid damage to plaster | | | | Move hazardous materials to higher |
| ceilings. For a suspended tile ceiling, | | | | locations. |
| remove ceiling tiles to get access to | | | | This includes paint, oil, cleaning |
| the ceiling joists. Span a 2X4 across | | | | supplies and other dangerous materials. |
| the two joists and wedge the vertical | | | | Plan an escape route if certain roads or |
| 2X4 between it and the ball. Some | | | | streets are known to flood easily. Where |
| hardware stores sell a plug that has a | | | | would you go if your home flooded a |
| rubber center that expands to fill the | | | | local shelter, a family member or |
| pipe when the top and bottom metal | | | | friend's house? Plan for pets. |
| plates are squeezed. | | | | Pets aren't allowed in shelters due to |
| Cover basement floor drains with | | | | health regulations. If left behind, |
| permanent grids. | | | | stressed pets can damage your house, and |
| Place a partially inflated inner tube | | | | their safety is at stake too. |
| around the drain, and top it with a | | | | Assemble supplies in case the |
| square or two of plywood (not particle | | | | electricity goes off. |
| board). The plywood must be larger | | | | Gather water, food that requires no |
| across than the inner tube to cover it. | | | | refrigeration or cooking, a non-electric |
| Brace this in place just as with the | | | | can opener, a battery-powered radio and |
| ball on the drain. Be prepared for some | | | | flashlight, extra batteries. |
| seepage. | | | | Assemble supplies for a possible |
| Reduce flooding from other drains. | | | | evacuation. |
| Unbolt toilets from the floor and plug | | | | Gather water, nonperishable food, paper |
| the outlet pipe using the same procedure | | | | plates/cups and plastic utensils, extra |
| as for floor drains. Shower drains can | | | | clothing and shoes, blankets or sleeping |
| be plugged this way too. Most washing | | | | bags, a first aid kit and prescription |
| machines and basement sinks have their | | | | medications, cash and credit cards, |
| drain connections about 3 feet above the | | | | important phone numbers, special items |
| floor so may not overflow if the water | | | | for babies and the elderly. |
| doesn't get that high. If necessary, | | | | Family Discuss what to do in case of a |
| these drains can be disconnected and | | | | flood. |
| capped or plugged with braced rubber | | | | Plan and practice an evacuation route. |
| balls. | | | | Ask an out-of-state family member or |
| Move snow away from the house's | | | | friend to be your family contact. |
| foundation. | | | | If family members get separated during |
| If the ground is sloped 1 inch per foot | | | | an evacuation, each should get in touch |
| near the house, moving snow just 3 to 5 | | | | with that contact. Make sure everyone |
| feet from the house will reduce | | | | has the contact's phone numbers. |
| problems. | | | | Discuss safe emergency procedures. |
| Keep water out of window wells. | | | | Teach adults and older children where |
| Since windows can't withstand much | | | | electric fuse boxes, water service mains |
| pressure, build dams and contour the | | | | and natural gas mains are and how to |
| ground so water will naturally drain | | | | turn them off if necessary. |
| away from the house. | | | | Discuss the situation with children |
| Get downspouts down in place so that as | | | | honestly and openly. |
| snow melts they can carry the water away | | | | Hiding the situation from them will |
| from the house. Using salt or a chemical | | | | probably be even more stressful. |
| to melt them free will probably damage | | | | |