According to the Arizona Emergency Information Network, the state experiences at least 40 floods yearly. These usually occur due to high tides and storm surges during a hurricane but can also happen when rain bands send heavy rainfall to saturated grounds, causing inland flash floods. 

If you live in a high-risk zone, it’s always a good idea to prepare for a possible house flood in Avondale. While no one wants a severe disaster like flooding to happen, knowing what to do during such an emergency can help protect your loved ones, prevent further damage, and safeguard your home as much as possible.    

On that note, here are some flood safety tips worth keeping in mind during and after a hurricane. 

 

What To Do and Not To Do During a Hurricane

If you’re staying home during a hurricane, the following tips can help you keep yourself, your loved ones, and your property as safe as possible: 

• If water levels rise, turn off your home’s main power and unplug all electrical cords from sockets. 
• Wear rubber boots if you must walk around your flooded home. 
• Stay away from glass windows and exterior doors to avoid injuries, as strong winds can break them and send pieces of debris into the air. 
• Move documents, gadgets, and other valuables to higher surfaces like shelves or your home’s upper levels. 
• Turn on your radio to get weather updates, and evacuate immediately if your home is damaged or if you are instructed by authorities to do so. 

In the same light, try avoid these actions to make it through flooding in Avondale safe and sound: 

• DO NOT use any electrical appliance during a hurricane or as soon as the water starts entering your home. 
• DO NOT rather use battery-operated flashlights instead of candles as much as possible, as they could start a fire.
• DO NOT attempt to walk, swim, or drive through floodwater. Besides the fact that it is contaminated with household waste, industrial waste, and harmful micro-organisms, as little as one foot of water can already cause cars to float, so the current could cause you to lose balance and get taken with it. 

 

Recovering From a House Flood in Avondale

As a property owner, it’s natural to want to kickstart the cleanup and restoration process after a widespread flood as soon as possible. After all, things are far from ordinary when your haven is in disarray. However, it pays to remember that home restoration in Avondale, or any other state, requires practicing caution and following specific steps. Any hasty action can worsen your home’s water damage problem and endanger you and those living with you. 

To preserve your house while staying safe, here are essential pointers to remember after a hurricane: 

Begin Your Insurance Claim ASAP 

If you had to evacuate from your place, it’s a good idea to call your insurance company to begin the claims process as soon as you know your home has suffered significant damage. Once you’re cleared to return to your residence, remember not to begin the cleanup process immediately. Instead, you will have to take pictures of the situation first to document the damage to your home’s exterior, interior, and contents, as this can help you get your claim approved. 

Enter Only if You Know It’s Safe

The storm may have passed, but this does not necessarily mean the danger has, too. In reality, it may have left behind unstable structures, pieces of glass, exposed wires, and even gas leaks that can endanger anyone within the premises. This is why it’s crucial to have a certified professional inspect your space first before you enter to start cleaning up. 

Remove Excess Water and Dry the Place Immediately

Other than getting your home back in order, removing the floodwater and drying your home quickly helps you avoid secondary damages, like mold. Microbial contamination can be dangerous to your health and difficult to remove, so acting swiftly can save you from a major headache. 

The following are a few useful mold prevention tips:

• Use buckets to extract standing water manually, or turn your sump pump on if it’s safe to use electricity. 
• If the weather allows, open your windows and doors to help in the drying process. 
• Again, if you have power and an electrician has deemed it safe to turn it on, use fans and dehumidifiers to remove the excess moisture inside your home. 
• Have your HVAC system checked and cleaned first before turning it on to avoid the risks of spreading mold throughout your home. 

However, if your house has been flooded and closed for a few days, it’s best to assume it already has mold. Hiring professional mold remediation services immediately can help prevent the spread of the contamination and get your property back to normal. 

 

Get 24/7 Help From the Experts in Water Damage in Avondale

Dealing with the aftermath of a flood is never easy, and it can be overwhelming to figure out where to start. But you don’t have to handle everything on your own. Restoration 1 has skilled and friendly experts in water damage restoration standing ready around the clock to perform flood damage cleanup, storm recovery, and mold remediation.  

We know your home holds the people, memories, and things you love, and we’re here to help you restore it. Call us anytime if you need help with a house flood in Avondale, and we’ll be there right away.