Listen to a radio or television, and don’t return home until authorities indicate it is safe.
Check for damage:
Inspect foundations, walls, floors, doors and windows for cracks or other damage. Is the building in danger of collapsing? If so, stay out until you can have an engineer inspect it.
Stay out of buildings if flood waters remain around the building.
If you must enter buildings, use extreme caution.
Wear sturdy shoes.
Turn off outside gas lines at the meter or tank and let the house air for several minutes to remove foul odors or escaping gas.
Use battery-powered flashlight. Gas still trapped inside could be ignited by an oil lamp or candle.
Watch for electrical shorts or live wires before making certain that the main power switch is turned off. Do not turn on any lights or appliances until an electrician has checked the system for short circuits.
Watch out for animals, especially poisonous snakes, that may have come into your home with the flood waters. Use a stick to poke through debris.
Watch for loose plaster and ceilings that could fall.
Take pictures of the damage both to the house and its contents for insurance claims.
Clean Up
Throw away food including canned goods that has come in contact with flood waters, which carry bacteria.
Throw out any previously opened medicine that has come in contact with floodwaters.
Boil water for drinking and cooking for 10 minutes (until the public water system has been declared safe again).
Pump out flooded basements gradually (about one-third of the water per day) to avoid structural damage.
