Laserfiche WebLink
<br />form to the National Flood Insurance Program. An adjuster will be assigned to inspect your <br />property as soon as possible. <br /> <br />=> Prior to entering a building, check for structural damage. Make sure it is not in danger of <br />collapsing. Turn off any outside gas lines at the meter or tank, and let the house air for <br />several minutes to remove foul odors or escaping gas. <br /> <br />=> Upon entering the building, do not use open flame as a source of light since gas may still be <br />trapped inside; a battery-operated flashlight is ideal. <br /> <br />=> Watch for electrical shorts or live wires before making certain that the main power switch <br />is turned off. Do not turn on any lights or appliances until an electrician has checked the <br />system for short circuits. <br /> <br />=> Cover broken windows and holes in the roof or walls to prevent further weather damage. <br /> <br />=> Proceed with immediate cleanup measures to prevent any health hazards. Perishable items <br />which pose a health problem should be listed and photographed before discarding. Throw <br />out fresh food and previously opened medicines that have come in contact with flood waters. <br /> <br />=> Water for drinking and food preparation should be boiled vigorously for ten minutes <br />(until the public water system has been declared safe.) Another method of disinfecting is to <br />mix 1/2 teaspoon of liquid commercial bleach with 2-1/2 gallons of water . . . let stand for <br />five minutes before using. The flat taste can be removed by pouring the water from one <br />container to another or adding a pinch of salt. In an emergency, water may be obtained by <br />draining a hot water tank or melting ice cubes. <br /> <br />=> Refrigerators, sofas, and other hard goods should be hosed off and kept for the adjuster's <br />inspection. A good deodorizer when cleaning major kitchen appliances is to add one <br />teaspoon of baking soda to a quart of water. Any partially damaged items should be dried <br />and aired; the adjuster will make recommendations as to their repair or disposal. Take <br />pictures of the damage done to your building and contents. <br /> <br />=> Take all wooden furniture outdoors, but keep it out of direct sunlight to prevent warping. <br />A garage or carport is a god place for drying. Remove drawers and other moving parts as <br />soon as possible, but do not pry open swollen drawers from the front. Instead, remove the <br />backing and push the drawers out. <br /> <br />:=} Shovel out mud while it is still moist to give walls and floors a chance to dry. Once <br />plastered walls have dried, brush off loose dirt. Wash with a mild soap solution and rinse <br />with clean water; always start at the bottom and work up. Ceilings are done last. Special <br />attention at this early stage should also be paid to cleaning out heating and plumbing systems. <br /> <br />15 <br />