Rain Rain Go Away, Beware of Flooding in Riverside!

8/31/2020 (Permalink)

Two feet of rushing water can sweep away most vehicles — including SUVs and pick-ups.

It is important to remember that floods caused by rain can occur anywhere, with floodwaters rising gradually or flash floods striking suddenly. Water's powerful force can easily overtake vehicles and people.

Safety tips for driving in heavy rain:

• If you must drive in the rain, drive slowly and steadily.  Pull over and stop if it is raining so hard that you cannot see.
• DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOODWATERS!
• Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars, causing loss of control or possible stalling.
• One foot of water will float most vehicles.
• Two feet of rushing water can sweep away most vehicles — including SUVs and pick-ups.
• Stay away from water that electrical or power lines have fallen into; electric current passes through water easily.
• Stay off your cell phone unless you must report severe injuries or call for help.

Safety tips for walking or cycling on urban trails:

• Move to higher ground and never go into a culvert! If you are on a streamside trail during a rainstorm use the alternate trail up to street level to avoid underpasses and culverts.
• NEVER take shelter in a culvert, under a bridge, or in an enclosed space, especially in low elevations . Always go to higher ground out of the flow of water.
• Do not walk or bike through moving water. Six inches of moving water can cause a person to fall.
• If lightning is present, do not stand under or near an isolated tree or group of trees.
• Never allow children to play around drainage ditches or viaducts, storm drains or flooded areas.

Localized street flooding:

• In underpasses and some areas that are geographical low-points, water cannot be expected to disappear down the storm inlets instantly; the pace and volume of the rainfall may be too quick and too great to immediately drain off. It takes time for the system to accommodate the rainfall.
• If you know that your street tends to flood because it is located in a low point, be sure to move your vehicles to higher ground whenever rain is forecast.

Hazards in Your Riverside Home After Flooding

When water enters your home from a structural breach or through natural flooding scenarios, it can be a hazardous situation for your riverside residence. Knowing these risks and what to do about them can be enough to protect those that matter most and help to protect some of your belongings and possessions in the earliest stages of flood losses as well.

Many of the hazards that can exist after flood damage in Riverside  homes are universal to any disaster, whether natural flooding or roof/property damage is to blame for the intruding water. Our SERVPRO professionals are often not the first individuals in a damaged home after a flood loss situation, so understanding these hazards before entering the property can keep you safe until our qualified technicians arrive to begin mitigation work.

• Structural Concerns

One of the most pressing concerns for those inspecting the damage to their house is oversaturated materials like ceiling assemblies. Sagging materials are often a strong indication of overweight drywall and insulation that can collapse and injure those underneath it. Wall systems are also at risk for becoming oversaturated beyond the capabilities of drywall screws in studs. These are the areas where our team can perform controlled demolition to help with the drying process and protect other materials nearby.

• Electrical Shock Hazards 

When standing water reaches outlets near the floor of your home, or electrically charged equipment still powered on, it can cause the pooling water in the area to become electrified. Unless you can be confident that no hazard exists, such as the power getting severed to the structure, do not enter standing water.

• Contamination Concerns 

Natural flooding presents a real risk of contamination to materials, contents, and occupants. We have disinfection products and cleaning practices that remove these bacterial threats from structural framework remaining installed before full-scale build back begins.

We understand the urgency that you feel when your home gets flooded, but keeping yourself and your family safe should be your priority. Our SERVPRO of West Riverside City team is standing by whenever you need us to help.