What To Avoid After a House Flood

8/1/2020 (Permalink)

Storm causes flooding in a Jearoldstown, TN home

If you live in an area where flooding isn't out of the ordinary, you should be prepared to prevent such emergencies. Even with the best efforts, however, you may still encounter floodwater in your home. While there are plenty of things you should do, there is also a list of steps you shouldn't take in the aftermath of these types of incidents. A smart response can spare you a lot of stress and grief.

Don't Hang Out at Home

It can be devastating to watch water rush into your Jearoldstown, TN, house and fill up room after room. The thought of losing your home and possessions can be too much for anyone to bear. Still, safety is your priority. The worst thing you can do is sit in a flooded home and hope you can hold back the water yourself. Instead, do the following:

• Get yourself, family members and pets out of your home as soon as possible.
  
• Avoid the temptation of grabbing a bunch of belongings; grab only the essentials you can carry.
  
• Get to a shelter or a safe place.
  
  

Don't Re-Enter Your House
Once emergency crews arrive on the scene, let the professionals do their work. Expert flood remediation crews will remove the water and assess the water damage. This includes tearing out flooring, drywall, and other materials. It will include rebuilding where necessary and cleaning up mold. Resist the urge to return to your home and go inside. Do not enter unless you are told it is safe to do so.

Don't Put Off Calling for Help
In all the mayhem that can occur after flood water gets into your house, you may forget a few steps. Aside from filing an insurance claim, contact your mortgage lender. In such an emergency, your lender may let you defer payments for a few months.
The sight of flood water in your house can be a harrowing experience. Be careful not to act rashly, but instead keep these tips in mind.