What to Do Before and After a Flood in Clackamas County

10/3/2017 (Permalink)

With the rainy season making its way into town, have you given any thought to if your commercial property  is prepared for a floodingfrom heavy rain? SERVPRO of Oregon City/Sandy wants to make sure you’re prepared in the event a disaster happens. The following gives tips on what to do before and after a flood.

BEFORE A FLOOD:

If an advanced Flood Warning had been issued, there are several precautions that can be taken to help minimize damage to certain areas in your business:

• Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so.
• Disconnect electrical equipment and appliances.
• Move vehicles out of low lying parking garages.
• Raise elevators from bottom floor.

AFTER A FLOOD:

Safety first!

• Account that all employees are safe by establishing evacuation plans in advance identifying areas outside the building that are designated meeting places. Assign select individuals to keep a list of their assigned team’s names and contact numbers in order to account for their whereabouts.
• If water enters the building and evacuation becomes impossible, move to an upper floor, and wait for rescuers.
• While evacuating, avoid attempting to drive through floods or rising water, nearly half of all flash flood fatalities are auto-related.
• Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
• Do not walk through moving water. Even six inches of moving water can make you fall.
• Use no open flames (there may be gas escaping from ruptured mains).
• Avoid floodwaters. Water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged.
• Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
• Listen for news reports to learn if the community’s water supply is safe to drink.
• Return only when authorities indicate is it safe.

In the event your property has a flood, remember to call SERVPRO of Oregon City/Sandy today at (503) 655-7735!