Be On Guard For Flooding, Utility Damage After The Storm
Published: May 21, 2006
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When is it safe to drive into an area?
It isn't safe if water flows across the road or there are downed power lines. As little as 6 inches of water can cause you to lose control of the vehicle; 2 feet of water can carry cars away. It's also easy to drive off the road into deeper water.
When can I return home?
It may be several days before emergency officials give the OK. You won't be allowed to return to an evacuated area until floodwater goes down, roads are cleared of debris, and power to fallen lines is cut. Officials also must check for casualties and damage to roads and bridges.
Be sure you have identification. If not, authorities may not let you back into your neighborhood.
What precautions should I take?
Walk around the outside before you go in. If you see cracks in the foundation or walls, have a home construction expert inspect it before entering.
If it is safe to enter, check ceilings for signs they could cave in, such as sagging or moisture. A jammed door may signal a problem. If you smell gas - the scent of rotten eggs may mean a leak - or hear a hissing sound, leave immediately and call the fire department.
If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or smell hot insulation, call an electrician. Turning off the power at the circuit breaker will help prevent this. Don't risk electrocution by turning power back on before inspecting the house.
If appliances seem to have been exposed to floodwater, have them checked by a professional.
My children want to play in the water. Should I worry?
Absolutely. Stay out of the water. Even wading invites trouble. Floodwater is often contaminated by sewage, chemicals and parasites. The water may be deeper than it looks or have strong undercurrents. It could be electrically charged by downed power lines.
What if I see a downed power line?
Assume it is dangerous. Avoid touching any object that comes in contact with the downed power line. Beware of fences, tree limbs, railroad tracks, sheds or water that could be in contact with a line you cannot see.
If a tree has fallen on a power line, call the power company.
For Tampa Electric Co., Hillsborough County customers can call (813) 223-0800. Customers outside Hillsborough can call 1-888-223-0800. After June 30, TECO hopes to add a number dedicated to reporting outages: 1-877-588-1010.
For Progress Energy, call 1-800-228-8485.
What if I smell natural gas or see a broken gas line?
Natural gas smells like rotten eggs. If you detect the odor, do not light matches, turn on light switches or use the telephone, any of which could cause an explosion. Open a window or a door to ventilate the area, and leave the building. Call the gas company from another location.
Get a safe distance from the house to where you no longer smell the gas before using a telephone.
The number for Peoples Gas customer service is 1-877-832-6747.
What if my toilets stop working?
You can make chemical toilets using five-gallon buckets with tight-fitting lids. Line each bucket with a heavy-duty garbage bag. Add about 1/4 cup regular, unscented, liquid chlorine bleach to each bucket as a disinfectant and deodorizer.
Keep the buckets in a cool, dark place. Do not dispose of human waste through your regular trash pickup. When sewer services are restored or your septic tank works properly, flush the waste down the toilet and clean and disinfect the buckets.
What if my house or car is damaged?
Take photographs of the damage. Notify your homeowners insurance agent. Make emergency repairs to prevent more damage and keep receipts for anything you buy.
Notify your automobile insurance agent. If the engine has been flooded, don't turn it on; that could cause more damage. Note any items in the car that have been damaged.
What about plumbing problems?
If water pipes are damaged, call the water department. Don't use the tap water until the pipes are repaired.
If you need to turn off the water, find the meter, usually in the ground near the street, and remove the cover. You should see a valve you can turn with a wrench or water key. Valves for specific areas are near toilets and under sinks.
Flying debris can break exposed polyvinyl pipe. Check the pipes on well pumps and irrigation systems.
If sewage is backing into the shower or under the toilet, the whole system is backed up. Don't use other sinks or toilets either.
If you hire a plumber, expect to see a state or county license number on the vehicle. It's the law.
What about roof damage?
If just a few shingles are gone, try covering the area with a garbage bag. Slide one edge of the bag under the shingles about two rows above the affected portion and secure the other edge two rows below. Caulk the exposed nailheads; water gets in by running down the nails.
If a large area is damaged, cover it with a tarpaulin. Be sure not to cover the vent pipes of any natural gas appliance because that could cause a deadly accumulation of carbon monoxide in the house. Again, put caulk over any nails holding the tarp.
If you hire a roofer for repairs, be sure he has workers' compensation insurance and a business license. If the roofer does not have insurance and gets injured on the job, you may be fined and held responsible for medical bills.
