Dealing with flood damage
It's not a pretty sight: A house filled with water, the carpet ruined, and possessions damaged.
You want to go in, but you know it might not be safe. That was the situation Monday at a home in Ballard.
"We can't even salvage anything because if we go downstairs, we'll get electrocuted," said Shauna Eckhart. "And the lights are still on, so they didn't pop a breaker. So we know there's still electricity going there."
It can be extremely dangerous to enter a flooded building, whether it's a home, office or apartment, especially if the utilities are still on.
"I would personally stay out of my basement if there's flooding in it, until I had time to bring somebody in that knows what they're doing, either an electrician or somebody else or til the water recedes," said Chuck Clarke, with Seattle Public Utilities. "I just think being conservative at this point related to electric issues or gas issues or others is a prudent way to go."
Here's how to play it safe it your home is flooded:
- When re-entering the building, use flashlights instead of lanterns or candles, in case there's a gas leak.
- If you know where your circuit breaker is, turn it off for the areas exposed to the flooding. If the electrical panel is threatened by flood waters, contact your power company.
- Call the gas company to turn the gas back on. Don't try to do it yourself.
- Have a professional check your heating system and electrical system before using it.
A lot of people will need to deal with water-logged vehicles. If the water has reached the engine compartment, don't start the vehicle. Instead, have it towed to a mechanic.
"Flood water is not only wet, it can be corrosive," said AAA spokeswoman Janet Ray. "There is the moisture, the water certainly, but then dirt and gravel and other elements that are abrasive materials that could force their way into every seam and crevice in your automobile.
"So you want to make sure that you have a technician who will go through all of the systems."
For many people, this flooding is going to financially devastating. Home owners insurance policies exclude flood damage so, unless you had flood insurance, you're out of luck.
For car owners, insurance should cover the water damage if you have comprehensive coverage on the vehicle.
How to drive when the roads are flooding:
"Drive slowly but steadily. Hold on to your steering wheel with both hands so incase you get into an area where water is flowing a little more quickly you can guide your vehicle," Ray said. "
Don't step on the brake when you're in the middle of the flood waters, just keep driving steadily. Once you're through then test your brakes, because your brake lining could have gotten wet and you want to make sure you allow that lining dry out. So just lightly put a little pressure on the brake pedal and give it a little chance to dry out an then test it so you'll know it works when you want it to.
For More Information:
Washington State Department of Health: Weathering Storms
City of Seattle Responds to Historic Rainfall
NW Insurance Council: Flood Insurance
Washington Insurance Commission
Driving Safety Tips
FEMA: are you ready?
You want to go in, but you know it might not be safe. That was the situation Monday at a home in Ballard.
"We can't even salvage anything because if we go downstairs, we'll get electrocuted," said Shauna Eckhart. "And the lights are still on, so they didn't pop a breaker. So we know there's still electricity going there."
It can be extremely dangerous to enter a flooded building, whether it's a home, office or apartment, especially if the utilities are still on.
"I would personally stay out of my basement if there's flooding in it, until I had time to bring somebody in that knows what they're doing, either an electrician or somebody else or til the water recedes," said Chuck Clarke, with Seattle Public Utilities. "I just think being conservative at this point related to electric issues or gas issues or others is a prudent way to go."
Here's how to play it safe it your home is flooded:
- When re-entering the building, use flashlights instead of lanterns or candles, in case there's a gas leak.
- If you know where your circuit breaker is, turn it off for the areas exposed to the flooding. If the electrical panel is threatened by flood waters, contact your power company.
- Call the gas company to turn the gas back on. Don't try to do it yourself.
- Have a professional check your heating system and electrical system before using it.
A lot of people will need to deal with water-logged vehicles. If the water has reached the engine compartment, don't start the vehicle. Instead, have it towed to a mechanic.
"Flood water is not only wet, it can be corrosive," said AAA spokeswoman Janet Ray. "There is the moisture, the water certainly, but then dirt and gravel and other elements that are abrasive materials that could force their way into every seam and crevice in your automobile.
"So you want to make sure that you have a technician who will go through all of the systems."
For many people, this flooding is going to financially devastating. Home owners insurance policies exclude flood damage so, unless you had flood insurance, you're out of luck.
For car owners, insurance should cover the water damage if you have comprehensive coverage on the vehicle.
How to drive when the roads are flooding:
"Drive slowly but steadily. Hold on to your steering wheel with both hands so incase you get into an area where water is flowing a little more quickly you can guide your vehicle," Ray said. "
Don't step on the brake when you're in the middle of the flood waters, just keep driving steadily. Once you're through then test your brakes, because your brake lining could have gotten wet and you want to make sure you allow that lining dry out. So just lightly put a little pressure on the brake pedal and give it a little chance to dry out an then test it so you'll know it works when you want it to.
For More Information:
Washington State Department of Health: Weathering Storms
City of Seattle Responds to Historic Rainfall
NW Insurance Council: Flood Insurance
Washington Insurance Commission
Driving Safety Tips
FEMA: are you ready?