Mary Long-Dhonau, Flood Mary
When a flood is imminent. People naturally want to do what they can to protect properties from the awful impact of imminent flooding. But what if flood barriers or doors are too expensive? Or what if those likely to be flooded are waiting for them to be installed?
The following suggestions won’t be as good as certified barriers, with competent installation but they will help reduce the amount of flood water that will enter a property.
Firstly, it’s important that if people get flooded from a river, they have signed up for a flood warning, then when they receive it, they can get going!
If a property is at risk of surface water flooding, listen to weather warnings/local radio. If it starts raining extremely hard, people will have to act quickly, so it is important for them to have a complete flood plan. People should know what items and possessions need to be moved out of harms way first. This includes items outside the house, like the car.
If the property has airbricks fit wide aluminium tape over them. One large roll will cover many airbricks. It can be bought online if needed.
For any external doors, put wide waterproof tape (gaffer tape) up to about 0.6 metres up the doors and along the bottom of the door (if it does start to leak, leave it in place, it will still be holding back a huge volume of water). Also, using the gaffer tape, fix a large piece of plastic over the door and weigh that down.
People can also cut a large piece of wood to size and using silicone sealant that ‘goes off’ very quickly, this could be fitted over door openings (some solvent will be required to remove it afterwards). The wood will need cutting to size in advance of the flood. Wooden slots around the door frame could be fixed to slot the wood into and then seal it (pictured). This will need advance preparation and on the flood plan explain where its stored.
If those in the property can invest in some large absorbent cushions (they are a bit like babies’ nappies for giants!) they will help soak up any water that does come through the gaffer tape. It may be possible to share the cost of a box with neighbours. They are also useful for soaking up water after the flood, as each one can absorb up to 20 litres of water.
A small deflated football could be used to block the loo, push that down the loo, it will help to stop any sewage coming through the drains. Failing that, fill a couple of heavy-duty rubble sacks doubled up for strength, with soil and push that down the loo. Shut the lid and use the gaffer tape to hold the lid down. Also, if there are any downstairs shower drains put the gaffer tape over it then put something heavy on top of it.
It’s always good to have a collection of plastic boxes with lids ready to store things in and take them upstairs.
If people are in a bungalow, use the boxes and see if someone (not likely to be flooded) can look after sentimental belongings (this could be added to the flood plan). Alternatively, items could be stored on higher shelves and on top of wardrobes.
Curtains could be folded over the curtain track or tied back in a big knot.
Large wellington boots could be put on the legs of tables (or other furniture), items and the contents of (kitchen) cupboards could be stored on the table (big flower vases, plastic litter bins and even cutoff 6-pint plastic milk bottles could work too).
Sofas and chairs could be stored above the ground by using a decorating trestle tables.
Furniture could be lifted onto bricks with plastics bags around them. For lighter furniture, plastic litter bins could be used.
Whilst all this may sound like an awful lot of hard work, it could be useful preparation. The average person is out of their home for around nine months after being flooded. Reducing the amount of flood water that enters a property and moving belongings out of harms way, can make a huge difference.
This information is based on a blog that Mary Long-Dhonau originally wrote for the RAIN project.
