In early summer, 2021, unprecedented rain storms hit the greater Aurora, Illinois area and over fifty percent of all homes were inundated with flooding. In mid-July of that same year, Cleveland, Ohio neighborhoods were heavily impacted by flash flooding that invaded their basements, damaged their homes and ripped up their gardens and surrounding areas.
These examples of flooding damages are only the tip of the iceberg. The true damage, the lasting damage to your home, is found after the storm is gone. And often, assistance such as Cleveland emergency water damage service is available, but won’t be contacted by distracted homeowners for months or even years after the damage has become extensively worse.
When storms hit your area, county or city services are often too overloaded during the actual emergency to offer immediate help to families stranded by flooding or in need of assistance. What can you do to be prepared in case of a storm? How can you proactively protect your loved ones and your home? Further, what should you do immediately after any flooding or water damage to start the process of home repair and recovery? Let’s talk about making an Essential Action Plan (EAP).
First Things First: Your Family
In any event that hints of an emergency, the first action you’ll want to take is to secure your family safety. This may include moving to a higher area in your home, such as upstairs or in an attic. It may mean picking up your family Go-Bag and heading to a community storm shelter. It may mean you’ll move away from any structure or metal fixtures that could conduct lightening. So, first things first. Move your family, if needed, to a secure, safe place.
In order to make a calculated move to safety, the first item to check off on your Essential Action Plan is where your family will go in various emergency situations. Pre-determine where the ground is highest and easiest to reach, or where the nearest shelter is and how you will lead your family to that destination.
Make as many preparatory specific plans as possible for moving your loved ones and then ensure they get where they are to stay. Encourage everyone to stay together and avoid going outside or back home to see what’s happening.
Prepare a Go-Bag
Gather essential items for your loved ones. Prepare a “Go-Bag” that will become part of your Essential Action Plan. In fact, the US government suggests packing a go-bag with essentials.
The large Go-Bag should include any necessary medications, a reasonable amount of cash, food items, maps, a rain poncho, bandages, antibiotic ointments, a satellite phone and batteries, flashlight and other essential items. The Go-Bag should be kept in the same place with the Essential Action Plan, always filled and ready, to be grabbed when needed.
Have Your Property Damage Contacts Ready
Roof and siding damage is always a concern when storms or tornados hit. Be proactive by finding, for example, roof repair near Aurora, and including the contact phone number in your Essential Action Plan. Most roofs will need an inspection after a severe storm; contacting the roof repair service near your home just after the storm will ensure any damage to your roof will be addressed quickly and efficiently.
If you’d like to be exceptionally proactive, call the roof repair company before you need emergency roof, fire or water damage services. Determine the inspection steps, any follow-up repair that may follow, and pricing for an inspection. Keep that information with your Essential Action Plan, as well.
Secure Your Family Pets And Livestock
It probably goes without saying, but try to take family pets with you if you are forced to leave your property. Many shelters will allow pets; however, some will not. As part of your Essential Action Plan, before an emergency occurs find the emergency shelters that allow pets and head there with your family pets in crates or secured on leashes.
Often, pets will become disoriented or anxious during a violent storm or flooding situation. Do not expect them to be docile. By keeping pets close by and comforting them as much as possible, you will help everyone avoid an unwanted interaction with one of your pets. Keep animals safely secured until you are certain they are docile and unleash only if allowed to by the shelter.
Be Prepared To Return Home
After a sudden storm or tornado, community shelters release occupants as safety measures dictate. This means most people return home unprepared for what they find, whether a minimal amount of damage or a major ruin. Be prepared for both eventualities by conceptualizing the “what if” situations before they happen. Discuss with your family members what tasks will become your “Number One” priorities upon your return.
Place your “Number One” items in your Go-Bag information and your Essential Action Plan. Who will be contacted first for repairs or replacement items? What are the utility phone numbers and when should you contact them for service? What emergency services are available after the events?
These are plans you’ll want to make ahead of any emergency. By doing so, you’ll eliminate confusion and distracted efforts when faced with the return of your family to a home or property that is severely damaged.
Accept Offers Of Help
Many of us have been raised with the idea that we can do everything by ourselves and we do not want or need the assistance of others. A serious storm or flood will derail those beliefs pretty quickly. Think through who you may want to call on to help in the event of a serious emergency, whether you need assistance with your property or with a family member.
Ask those people if they will be willing to help your family in an emergency and take notes of those who are willing. Keep your notes in your Essential Action Plan, along with the phone numbers of those individuals. People, particularly friends and neighbors, will want to help you and your loved ones. Accept that help with gratitude and be willing to help them in return.
By constructing an Essential Action Plan for emergencies, you’ll be prepared to tackle most of the difficult questions raised during emergencies. Doing so not only prepares you and your family for a potential emergency; it offers the assurance of advance knowledge during and immediately after an emergency
