Floods are considered as one of the most devastating natural calamities in the world. The havoc caused by floods makes an entire community homeless and helpless. There are two types of flood damage; these are plain water damage and rushing water damage. Flood damage includes destruction of buildings, disruption of normal drainage systems in cities, death of people, loss of valuable articles, spreading of diseases and other damages. If proper precautionary measures are taken, the amount of flood damage can be reduced to a great extent.

Precautionary measures should be taken by the people living in the flood prone areas to reduce flood damage. First step to be done as a precautionary measure to reduce flood damage is to get information regarding floods from the local emergency management office. After this, necessary preparations must be done, which include the cleaning of sump pump and pit. The sump pump must be cleaned and tested by pouring water into the pit. It should be ensured that the discharge hose delivers the water several feet away from the house to a well-drained area that slopes away from the house. Items such as irreplaceable family photo albums, high school yearbooks, tax records, insurance policies, and so on, must be shifted to high shelves or attic. One of the major problems faced during floods is sewer backup. Sewer backup often occurs when storm water enters the sanitary sewer and causes an overload of water into the system. This would subsequently overload the sewer system, resulting in a backflow into household lines and causing sewer water to enter basements. To prevent sewer backup at home, all sewer openings in the basement such as floor drains, sinks, showers, etc. must be capped.

Home appliances are the most common things that get damaged due to floods. For protection against shallow flood waters, the washer and dryer can sometimes be elevated on masonry or lumber at least 12" above the projected flood elevation to keep the motors above the water level.

The risk of electrical shock to people working in a flooded basement is high due to electric motors in the furnace, freezer, washer, dryer and other appliances. Electrical breakers should be shut off or fuses should be unscrewed to prevent electric shocks caused by flood damage. Cars must be kept fueled as gas stations may not be able to operate because of lack of electricity. When asked to evacuate to safer places, information regarding the flood evacuation plan should be obtained from a local emergency government office or local Red Cross chapter. This plan must include information on the safest routes to shelters, among others. Water, nonperishable food, paper plates/cups and plastic utensils, extra clothing and shoes, blankets or sleeping bags, a first aid kit and prescription medications, cash and credit cards, important phone numbers, special items for babies and the elderly people must be gathered while planning for an evacuation.

These are some of the preventive and precautionary measures that can be taken to overcome flood damage. Thus by being precautionary we can save our lives and properties from the havoc created by floods.