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<br />Open the panelboard door and identify what part of the system <br />each plug fuse or circuit breaker controls. This information may be <br />on the back of the panelboard door already. If it isn't available, <br />experiment by removing each fuse or switching to OFF e=ich circuit <br />breaker one at a time. Then determine which lights. appliances, <br />and outlets are controlled by that fuse or circuit breaker. Write this <br />information on a sheet of paper to take with you when you evacuate <br />or put it in a place above the anticipated flood water level. Replace <br />the fuse or switch the circuit breaker back to ON, and repeat the <br />process until the entire electrical system of your home has been <br />checked. CAUTION: Some appliances contain compressors (air- <br />conditioners, refrigerators, freezers) that may have to rest a short <br />time (5 minutes) before being turned on again to avoid blowing the <br />fuse or opening the circuit. <br /> <br />If flooding is imminent, remove (don't just loosen) all fuses, <br />including the one at the main switch and at the range switch, and <br />put them in a place above the anticipated flood water level. This will <br />minimize the danger of short circuits when the power company <br />returns service to your home after the flood. <br /> <br />If you have a circuit breaker panelboard, switch each circuit breaker <br />to the OFF position. <br /> <br />Gas <br />Close main gas valve. This valve is generally located on the gas <br />piping just prior to its entry into the gas meter. <br /> <br />Water <br />Close main water valve. It usually is found on an exterior wall or on <br />the floor of the lowest level of your home where the water supply <br />enters. <br /> <br />Drinking water can be stored in a clean and covered bathtub or in' <br />the hot water tank. If the hot water tank valves are turned off and no <br />heat is supplied to the tank, flood water cannot enter the tank. <br /> <br />Fuel Tanks <br />Anchor fuel tanks to prevent them from overturning or floating. <br />Close fuel tank valves to prevent leaks, spills and flood water <br />infiltration. <br /> <br />General Actions <br /> <br />Move as many household items as possible to as high a place as <br />possible. Place furniture on beds and then personal items on the <br />furniture. Also, items could be placed on the roof and covered with <br />polyethylene sheet stapled in place using thin strips of wood or <br />heavy cardboard. CAUTION: Your roof or upper floor may not be <br />able to safely support the additional weight of heavy equipment or <br />furniture. <br /> <br />Include cardboard boxes and newspapers as items to be moved to <br />higher ground. Such material will disintegrate and clog drains when <br />flood waters recede. <br /> <br />Anchor, secure, or weigh-down any items that may become debris <br />or battering rams in moving water; for example, tie furniture and <br />personal items on top of a bed to the bed and then anchor the bed <br />by tying it to the house structure. <br /> <br />3-2 <br /> <br />Remove all wood drawers, even though empty, from built-ins (e.g., <br />cabinets) and furniture (e.g., dressers) because wood swells when <br />wet and the resulting pressure between the drawers and their <br />containers can damage wood fibers. <br /> <br />Remove lightbulbs from permanently mounted light fixtures below <br />flood level to prevent their breakage. Put the lightbulbs and other <br />glass items in plastic bags to prevent glass from shattering and <br />spreading if the item is broken. <br /> <br />Protect valuable machinery and equipment that cannot be <br />relocated by enclosing them in waterproof covers (Figure 3-3 on <br />page 3-3), or by coating them with water-repellent grease to <br />minimize damage and to facilitate cleaning and return to operation <br />(If practical, consider encircling such equipment with a wall of <br />sandbags.). <br /> <br />Relocate chemicals that react with water to give off heat or form <br />explosive or toxic gases and chemicals such as weed killers and <br />potassium to the highest level in your home and ensure that they <br />are in waterproof containers. This will prevent safety hazards, <br />pollution, or damage to materials in your home. <br /> <br />Remove and dispose of perishable food items in cabinets, <br />refrigerators, and indoor trash cans or place in plastic bags or <br />containers and seal shut. Tie shut and anchor outdoor garbage <br />cans to minimize spread of disease and unsanitary conditions. Tie <br />down loose items in the yard to prevent them from being carried <br />away by flood water or battered against other items or structures. <br /> <br />If you have a boat, move it in such a way that you can gain access <br />to it easily during the flood. <br /> <br />The Structure <br /> <br />Only a qualified structural engineer can tell you whether your <br />basement can or cannot withstand anticipated flood-water levels. <br /> <br />AI/ow Water Into Basements <br />If a structural engineer has not checked your house to determine its <br />structural soundness or has determined your house to be <br />structurally incapable of withstanding the added forces created by <br />the bUildup of flood waters on the outside, the following actions <br />should be taken: <br />Open al/ windows, prop open al/ doors to the outside, to rooms <br />and closets, and to garage to allow water to enter unimpeded. <br />Equal pressure inside and outside lessens the chance of structural <br />damage to your home from hydrostatic pressure and prevents it <br />from lifting off its foundation or tipping over in most cases. <br />You can knock small holes in your concrete block basement walls <br />about 1 foot above ground level to allow water to fill the basement <br />and equalize interior and exterior pressure. Use a hammer and <br />cold chisel. The cold chisel should be longer than the block is <br />wide. Holes can be patched after the flood has passed. Running <br />tap water into the basement is slower, but if there is time, this is <br />preferred as it is cleaner. Cover the glass of open windows with <br />cardboard or heavy plastic to prevent the glass from shattering <br />and spreading. Do not obstruct the window openings or prevent <br />water from passing. <br />