The Do's and Don'ts of Flood Electrical Safety

02/28/2024

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When natural disasters like tropical storms or flash floods hit Carbon County, we often forget about our electrical safety. That’s why we’re going to talk about electrical safety during floods. Flooding and electricity? Not a good mix. It may seem like common sense but during an emergency like flooding, remembering that flood water in your home can up the danger of electric shocks, fires, and injuries can be difficult.

Whether you own a home, rent, or are a first-time homebuyer, knowing the do’s and don'ts of flood electrical safety is crucial. With this list of tips, avoiding electrical accidents during a flood just became so much easier!

The Do's

Understand the Risks

Knowledge Is Safety:

The first step to flood electrical safety is understanding the full extent of the dangers. While flooding can ruin your carpet, drywall, and furniture, it can also wreak havoc on your home’s electrical, appliances and consumer electronics. Knowing this and taking precautions before flooding occurs is something every homeowner can do with little to no effort.

Things like ensuring all extension cords, charging cables and consumer electronics are elevated from ground level are a low effort but high reward way to protect your assets during a flood. Being aware of the dangers of flooding and preparing for the worst outcome is one of the best ways to protect your home, assets, and family during unexpected flooding events.

Invest in Protection:

Flooding can happen anywhere, and let's be real, the risks are no joke. That's why having flood insurance isn't just a suggestion — it's an absolute necessity. Having a robust homeowners/renters insurance policy with a flood clause is one of the best ways to ease the financial blow you’ll receive if your home is a victim of flood damage.

Stay Informed:

Most local utilities companies have some sort of automated emergency messaging system these days, so make sure you’re signed up with your local provider to stay up to date on outages and safety risks like downed power lines. Along with this, make sure to keep an eye out for information from local government services, they can typically alert you to flooding before it occurs, giving you an opportunity to prepare your home and get to safety.

Perform Regular Maintenance:

If you live in a high flood risk area, before the flood season hits, make sure your home’s electrical system is in good working condition. The easiest way to do this is to have annual or bi-annual inspections performed by a qualified electrician so they can identify any issues before they ever occur.

Create a Family Plan:

Just as you would for any other emergency, have a family plan in place. This includes knowing how to turn off your electricity, where electronics should be located to minimize damage, and the roles each family member plays in staying safe.

Maintain a Flood Toolkit:

Whether or not you live in a high flood risk area, it never hurts to have a flood emergency kit on hand. A water-resistant emergency kit should include a flashlight, battery-operated radio, and extra batteries. These tools can be lifesaving when dealing with post-flood electricity safety issues.

Safely Evacuate with Care:

There is no such thing as being too prepared, especially in the event of tropical storms and flash flooding. If government officials suggest or order an evacuation, do so with extreme caution, making sure to follow planned evacuation routes and avoiding downed power lines or electrical cables near water.

Reduce the Risk

Power Down:

If flooding is on the way and you have time, it's a good idea to power down your electrical system following the right steps or as recommended by local authorities. Doing this can help avoid issues like short circuits and electrical fires due to water damage.

Equip with Protection:

Having a licensed electrician add ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to your electrical system is a great way to keep your home and family safe in the event of unexpected flooding — doubly so if you live in a high flood risk area.

Elevate Electronics:

From gaming consoles and PCs to extension cords and charging cables, having your electronics elevated a few feet from the ground is a great way to protect your family and assets during a flood. In addition to that, another great idea is to have your electrical outlets raised a bit higher from the ground, this helps reduce the chance of flood water shorting out an outlet and causing a potential fire or shock hazard.

Inspect Regularly:

After a flood, it's always a good idea to get a licensed electrician to check out your home's electrical system and appliances to make sure the flood didn't damage them. We also recommend having a flood damage and mold remediation check out your home for any mold caused by the recent flood damage. When flood damage goes unnoticed, it can lead to unsightly and unhealthy mold — so call a flood damage and mold remediation specialist right away!

Update and Upgrade:

If your system gets damaged, it could be a chance to upgrade to newer, flood-resistant tech. That way, you'll protect your home from future risks.

The Don'ts

Avoid the Hazards

Never Touch Equipment:

If any electrical equipment is underwater, never touch it. Standing water and electricity are a deadly combination, so make sure to avoid downed power lines and leaving electronics on the ground near water.

Don't Restore Power Prematurely:

Even if the waters have gone down, never flip the power back on until an electrician gives the all-clear. It's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to post-flood restoration - those hidden electrical hazards can be sneakier than you'd think!

Don't Ignore Warning Signs:

If you notice signs of electrical issues, don’t ignore signs such as sparks or strange odors. The first thing you’ll want to do is call emergency services so they can respond and ensure you and your family’s safety. Once that is all handled, your next step is to call an electrician and a flood damage specialist.

Lack of Preparation:

If you're in a high-risk area and aren't carrying flood insurance, you're not just taking on property damage risks but also the financial burden that comes with flooding.

Overlook Required Inspections:

Don't give in to the temptation of skipping professional inspection services after a flood. Having an expert assess things is super important for your safety and peace of mind.

By sticking to some straightforward yet crucial guidelines about electricity and flooding, you'll keep yourself and your loved ones safe during and after a flood. These are the do’s and don’ts of flooding and if you’re asking us, they’re pretty simple!

Schedule Your Free Estimate Today

Now that you know the do’s and don’ts of flood damage, you’ll be prepared for any rainstorm that comes your way. Has a recent flood caused electrical damage or hazards on your property? Don’t worry at Kresge Electric we have a team of certified electricians ready to help you 24 hours a day. Schedule your free consultation online or by calling us at 570-325-2773 today!

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