Flood Safety in NOVA

7/22/2020 (Permalink)

A mere six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off your feet.

Flooding doesn’t always happen in Northern Virginia but did you know that 20% of all claims paid by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) were for policies in low-risk areas?  In fact, flooding is one of the most commonly widespread weather-related disasters.  According to the American Red Cross, floods cause more damage in our country every year than any other weather-related disaster.

The American Red Cross offers the following safety tips:

Avoid floodwaters

A mere six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off your feet.  If you approach a flowing stream of water that is above your ankles, stop, turn around, and go another way. 

Driving in flooded areas

If you encounter a flooded road, turn around and go another way.  Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water.  If you are stranded on a flooded roadway and the water is rising rapidly, get out of the car immediately and seek higher ground.

Keep children out of the water

Children are naturally curious but often lack judgment about the dangers of running water caused by flooding or the contaminants it may contain. 

Our goal at SERVPRO of Dale City/Lake Ridge and SERVPRO of Woodbridge/Lorton is to help you be prepared and ready.  We know that even minor floods have the potential to cause major damage to a structure when not treated quickly and properly.  Although the cleanup is often an overwhelming task, our team is prepared to handle any size disaster.  We’re always here to help.