York County Water Damage Restoration Company Shares Flash Flood Survival Tips

 York County, Pennsylvania, is no stranger to water damage from flash flooding. On Labor Day weekend of 2018, a massive flash flood destroyed roads, bridges, and homes in southeastern York County. Over a four-hour period, eight to fourteen inches of rain fell in parts of South Central Pennsylvania. The rainfall was about the same as Tropical Storm Agnes in 1972. The 2018 floodwater rose within hours instead of days, as with the storm, Agnes.

“That was the worst thing that I have seen in a long time,” commented the local fire chief, who is also the deputy emergency management director for Chanceford Township.

The brunt of the flooding washed over six townships in York County: Hellam, Chanceford, Lower Chanceford, Hopewell, East Hopewell, and Fawn. A year later, the effects could still be seen. Road closure signs were still up. Piles of debris that washed downstream had not been removed. Empty lots where houses once stood were still eerily vacant.

When a flash flood occurs, minutes can mean a matter of life and death for families caught in the sudden surge of rushing waters. Once ensnared in the rushing torrent, escape is all but impossible. The waters, writhing with debris, crush whatever is in its path. Surviving a flash flood requires preparation, an escape route, and a recovery plan.

Here are six flash flood survival tips.

1. Stay informed by learning and understanding the key terminology

Key Definitions

Flood watch: Watch out because the conditions are right for flooding to occur in the area.

Flood warning: Flooding is either in progress or will start immediately.

Acton steps

• Remain alert by turning on the TV, radio, or weather alert app.
• Plan an escape route to higher ground by both vehicle and on foot.
• Bring in outdoor furniture.
• Move important or valuable indoor items to the highest possible point in the home or building.
• Unplug electrical appliances.
• Do not touch electrical equipment when wet or standing in water.
• If directed, turn off the gas and electricity at the main switch or valve to prevent fires and explosions.

When the flooding starts, follow these tips:

• Move immediately to higher ground or stay on high ground.
• Evacuate if instructed by officials.
• Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters.

2. Prepare the family well in advance of severe weather

Put together a disaster kit made up of essential items that may be needed in the event of an emergency. Include food, water, first aid, and basic sanitary supplies.

3. Know the flood history of the surrounding area

Know the risk of flooding for the general area. What areas are most severely affected by swiftly rising waters? Become familiar with local emergency plans and evacuation routes.

4. Create an emergency communication plan that is ready at all times

Include a centralized meeting place in case the family gets separated.

5. Follow vehicle safety during a flood

Six inches of moving water can knock a person off their feet; one foot of water can sweep a vehicle away. Remember the saying “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.” The leading cause of weather-related deaths in the US is flash flooding.

6. After a flood

Return home only when it is safe. Be careful around flood debris. Keep an eye out for stranded wildlife. Watch out for snakes that have sought higher ground to escape the water. Roads and walkways may have been weakened or eroded from the floodwaters.

7. Proactive administrative advice

The administrative tips listed below can facilitate flash flood and other property damage recovery. Call a water and flood damage restoration company as soon as possible, should a home or business sustain flood damage. Waiting could lead to advanced secondary water damage that could add thousands of dollars to the cost of the water and flood damage restoration. Delay could affect the acceptance of the claim by the insurance company.

• Photograph property damage for insurance purposes.
• Consider buying flood insurance if available for the area.
• Contact a fire, water, flood, and mold damage restoration specialist about creating a business continuity plan in the case of a flash flood, fire, water, or other property damage event.

For more information about water, fire, flood, and mold damage restoration, visit the Major Restoration Services website at www.majorrs.com. The office can be contacted by phone at (717) 855-2367 or by email at info@majorrs.com.

Local Restoration Company Explains How to Safely Handle a Water Damage Emergency

Every year, millions of homeowners have to deal with water damage emergencies. When water floods a home from a ruptured pipe, broken dishwasher, or severe weather, stress and worry multiply. Thankfully, a reliable water damage restoration company can come alongside distressed homeowners to minimize anxiety and help them quickly recover from the disaster.

If homeowners are confronted with an extensive water damage incident, they must prioritize the safety of their family and any other residents in the home. Major Restoration Services, a York, PA, damage restoration company, is highlighting eight safety tips to help people handle a water damage emergency. The safety tips listed below are intended for incidents involving water damage that originates from inside the house. Damage caused by severe weather, flooding, or a tornado presents issues beyond the scope of internally sourced water damage scenarios.

1. Remain calm and try not to panic.

Large scale water damage can be devastating. Just thinking about having to replace furniture and camp out in a hotel until the house is repaired can trigger a cascade of stressful emotions. Concerns about lost heirlooms and valuables add to the anxieties. However, homeowners can take comfort in the fact that an experienced and qualified water damage restoration team can promptly begin the restoration process and return life to normal as soon as possible.

2. Beware of electrical hazards.

In a water damage situation, the first task is to ensure that everyone is safe. Before locating the source of the flooding and turning off the water, identify and resolve any potential electrocution risks. Do not step in the water until checking for electrical issues. Cords from appliances and power strips can be highly dangerous if they make contact with water, and they pose a fire hazard. Turn the power off from outside the home and continue to exercise caution.

3. Check for a chemical or sewage leak before entering the home.

The presence of harsh chemicals or raw sewage in the water presents a health risk. If family members smell a strong odor or if they experience burning eyes or irritated skin, chemical contamination of the water is likely. If chemicals or sewage is present, the homeowner will want to ensure that the substances are not tracked throughout the house.

4. Put on protective clothing.

Wear protective clothing such as rubber gloves, goggles, waders, and a mask or respirator. If homeowners use these safeguards, they can protect themselves from mold, bacteria, mildew, sewage, and toxic chemicals.

5. Find a safe light source.

If the power must be turned off to avoid electrical hazards, use a flashlight, electric lantern, or headlamp to light the house. Without adequate lighting, homeowners risk tripping over fallen objects, cutting themselves on broken glass, or slamming into furniture.

6. Be very careful of slip and fall risks.

Wet flooring is highly slippery. When investigating the water damaged area, wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear that offers stability, and avoid sudden fast movements. Homeowners should not remove their shoes when walking in water because they could step on a sharp object or expose their feet to chemicals that cause burns.

7. Avoid lifting heavy items.

Water weighs down absorbent materials and can make pillows, rugs, clothing, and carpeting heavier than normal. Underestimating the weight of a water-logged item and then lifting it can cause back injuries or muscle strain.

8. Call a water damage restoration specialist.

When a 2,000 square foot basement fills with just a foot of water, the basement contains approximately 15,000 gallons. Using only buckets and a shop vacuum, a homeowner is simply unable to remove this much water. Letting the water subside on its own not only takes weeks, but it also creates even more damage and encourages mold growth.

Homeowners do not have to wade through the aftermath of a disaster on their own. Water damage restoration specialists, such as the team at Major Restoration Services, can take care of the entire restoration process. Major Restoration Services offers 24/7 emergency response to water damage situations and will provide service 365 days a year. Immediate response is vitally important because the majority of the damage occurs within the first few hours of the leak or rupture. In times of crisis, Major Restoration Services walks beside the homeowner through each step of the process, from mitigation to the rebuild. The company works directly with clients and their insurance providers to return the home to its pre-loss condition.

For water damage restoration services in South Central Pennsylvania and Northern Maryland, contact Major Restoration Services by phone at 717-855-2367 or visit the website at www.majorrs.com.