Keeping Safe during Heavy Rainfalls

We have been receiving record rainfalls in Houston over the past couple of weeks.  Some parts of Texas received up to 10 inches of rain. People in Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Kansas have been without power and electricity for a few days with more than 121,000 customers without power in the Houston area at one point. Many homeowners have received extensive damage to their roofs. Many school districts and colleges across southeast Texas canceled classes Monday due to flash flood warnings. And we’re not out of the woods yet. They’re calling for severe thunderstorms and in some cases tornados northwest of Houston in the coming days.

So how can we keep safe? Firstly, building an emergency kit with all of the essentials and creating a family communications plan is very important. Keeping family members safe during extreme weather storms is an important responsibility that begins with preparing for all types of emergencies. Don’t wait until it’s too late. A complete emergency kit should contain flashlights and batteries, matches, blankets, dry foods and water a manual can opener, battery-operated or crank radio, and extra keys, for your house and car, a First Aid kit, some cash in small bills, medications, baby formula, personal hygiene items, important family documents and a copy of your emergency plan

Next, if they are calling for thunderstorms in your area, you should unplug radios, televisions and appliances. Listen for weather updates on your wind-up or battery-powered radio. For any phone calls that you make, use a cordless phone. Stay away from corded telephones, appliances, sinks, bathtubs, radiators and metal pipes which can become electrical conductors. If you are experiencing hail storms take cover.  Stay indoors, and keep yourself and your pets away from windows, glass doors and skylights in order to avoid getting hit by glass if they shatter when hit by hailstones.

In some areas flooding is highly likely, especially if the home is located in a canyon or near a river. If flash flooding occurs, move immediately to higher ground.  If you must evacuate, make sure that you secure your home. You should turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if you have been instructed by local authorities to do so. Remember when disconnecting electrical appliances not to touch electrical equipment if you are wet or if you are standing in water. If you have to leave your home, only return when authorities indicate that it is safe.

If you have water entering the home because of your roof or chimney we would advise that a professional be called in after the storm has passed in order to ensure everyone’s safety. There could be many reasons that your chimney leaks. It could be caused by worn or corroded flashing around the chimney or the chimney cap is cracked allowing water to penetrate the chimney. Water then builds up and leaks into your home. While it is unpleasant and cause water damage, it would be best that it be inspected and repaired later.