Though natural disasters are unstoppable forces, homeowners can plan ahead and prevent excessive water damage from happening in their own homes:

Know your risk. Use the FEMA Flood Map Tool or call the local branch of your emergency management office to better understand your risk and the precautions to take.

Anchor fuel and propane tanks. Even if a tank is full and heavy, anchoring it is a wise idea in case waters begin to rush in.

Protect appliances. Elevate appliances when possible to prevent their electrical and internal components from being waterlogged and damaged beyond repair.

Elevate hazardous materials. If you would not want it to come into contact with your bare skin, it should be elevated out of the flood water’s path. Pollution can make the water more dangerous for the entire region, and can even lead to fires.

Digitize valuables. Precious and irreplaceable items, such as family memorabilia, tax records and household documents, should be digitized and the physical copies kept off-site or in a waterproof safe.

Turn off electricity. Even if you feel it’s unlikely that the waters would reach electrical appliances or outlets, having live electricity near floodwaters can still be dangerous. Shut off the electrical breaker to any rooms that are at-risk for a flood.

Taking steps to protect your home is a responsible precaution that you will be grateful for in hindsight. The peace of mind that comes with being prepared is priceless.

If you’ve experienced flood damage or water damage from other causes, SERVPRO® of Wilson County is here to help. Our fully trained water remediation technicians will be there for you when you call.