| Natural disasters are something we cannot | | | | precautions prior to flooding include being |
| escape. Despite all the preparations you | | | | aware of weather conditions that might result |
| might make to ensure that your home or | | | | in flooding and having an evacuation plan |
| business stays secure there is nothing you | | | | both for your home and business. To lessen |
| can do when nature hits you. | | | | the impact of water damage brought about by |
| | | | flooding make sure you do the following |
| In the United States flooding is the most | | | | before the flood arrives: |
| common natural disaster and is responsible | | | | |
| for more deaths than any other natural | | | | -Secure shelves and other like furniture to |
| disaster. Aside from the high death toll it | | | | the wall |
| also exacts a high price in terms of property | | | | |
| damage, which is estimated to be more than $1 | | | | -Place all electronic equipment, clothes, and |
| billion each year. Just recently in Northern | | | | cushions in high shelves. |
| Scottsdale, Arizona, water damage due to | | | | |
| flooding led to approximately $2 million in | | | | -Remove the carpets and rugs. |
| damages. The water damaged not only walls and | | | | |
| carpeting but also led to unrecoverable | | | | When your home or business gets flooded you |
| losses in materials like books and computers. | | | | should call a water damage restoration expert |
| In New York, extensive water damage at CBS | | | | like 1-800-FLOODED immediately. 1-800-FLOODED |
| forced the "Early Show" to change locations | | | | offers 24 hours water extraction service so |
| on the morning of August 8. All over New York | | | | you won't have to wait. Remember the longer |
| water damage became a problem due to heavy | | | | the water stays the more damage it does. This |
| thunderstorms and flash floods. | | | | means that while waiting for help to come you |
| | | | should start water removal by doing the |
| Flooding is also nothing new to California | | | | following: |
| residents. In fact California is currently | | | | |
| making news headlines as its governor tries | | | | -Bail out/mop up as much water as you can |
| to push for better flood control | | | | while waiting for professional help to |
| infrastructure. In California water damage is | | | | arrive. |
| an imminent risk faced by everyone since its | | | | |
| levees are not sound and fail at least once | | | | -Remove all wet fabric (clothes, drapes, |
| every 7.5 months. The surprising thing about | | | | sheets, etc.), cushions, and rugs and hang |
| flooding is that it doesn't happen only in | | | | them out to dry. |
| high risk coastal areas. In fact, ¼ of | | | | |
| areas that are flooded each year are those | | | | -Wipe all the furniture with dry cloth. |
| classified as low and moderate flood risk | | | | |
| areas. This means that wherever you live | | | | When the professionals arrive they will take |
| flooding is a risk you face especially during | | | | over the process of water removal. Note |
| hurricane season. | | | | though that water extraction is simply the |
| | | | first step in water damage restoration. Water |
| To lessen the damages brought about by | | | | damage restoration will entail other |
| flooding you should take proper precautions | | | | processes like structural drying, mold |
| before flooding occurs and immediately call | | | | prevention/removal, and decontamination, |
| for help right after the flood. Safety | | | | among others. |