Preparing For and Cleaning Up
After a Flood

Part 1: Before the Flood - preparation

True-False: circle T if the statement is true, F if the statement is false.

   T   F   1) You should fill all underground fuel tanks when preparing for a flood.

   T   F   2) Emergency supplies include candles, flashlights, a battery powered radio, and a first aid kit.

   T   F   3) If you don't have flood insurance, then it won't matter if you photograph or videotape your possessions.

   T   F   4) All cabinets and drawers should be left tightly closed in preparation for the flood waters.

   T   F   5) Avoid driving through flood waters, since a small car can be swept away in as little as one foot of water.

Matching: circle the letter of the most appropriate response to each question.

6) What item can be used to reduce flooding from floor drains?
    a) duct tape
    b) a rubber ball
    c) packing peanuts
    d) plastic cups

7) Which utilities should you turn off before evacuating your house?
    a) electricity
    b) gas
    c) water
    d) all of the above

8) How many sandbags are needed to make a dike 3 feet high and 100 feet long?
    a) 800
    b) 2,000
    c) 3,400
    d) 5,000

9) What is the relationship of the length and width of a sandbag dike?
    a) the height should be twice the width
    b) the width should be twice the height
    c) the height should be 3 times the width
    d) the width should be 3 times the height

10) Even though a home may flood, it is rare for the flood waters to exceed:
    a) one foot
    b) three feet
    c) six inches
    d) two feet

Completion:

Note: The answers listed below are only a partial list.  There are other possible answers, and you will have to use your best judgment as to their correctness.

11) List four things you can do to ensure you are ready to evacuate a flood area should the situation occur:

Possible answers:
Fill up the gas tank of your car.
Map out a route to higher ground, avoiding crossing streams and low areas.
Stock the car with emergency supplies and food.
Tell friends and relatives where you will be should you evacuate.
Photograph and/or videotape your house with its possessions.
Practice an emergency evacuation plan with your family.
there are other possible answers, and you will have to use your best judgment as to their correctness.

12) What can be done to protect furniture and/or appliances from flood damage?   List at least three things.

Possible answers:
Move furniture and appliances to higher shelves or to second floor rooms.
Wrap any item in plastic that would/could be too hard to move.
Unplug any major appliance that may be affected by a power surge.
Remove burners from furnaces; remove motors from equipment that cannot be moved

13) List five items (not listed in question #2) you should have in as part of an emergency flood kit:

Possible answers:
Matches          Extra Batteries          Medicine          Glasses          Blankets          Warm Clothes

Cash                Credit Cards               Non-perishable food items     Non-electric can opener

Drinkable Water                Sturdy Shoes
 


 Part 2: After the Flood - the cleanup

True-False: circle T if the statement is true, F if the statement is false.

   T   F   1) If soaked with flood waters, mattresses and upholstered furniture is usually damaged beyond repair.

   T   F   2) If food has been exposed to flood waters, it should be discarded.

   T   F   3) If dishes, pots, and pans have been exposed to flood waters, they should be discarded.

   T   F   4) Flood damaged books can be saved by freeze drying them.

   T   F   5) To clean wooden furniture, it is best to take it outside into direct sunlight.

Matching: circle the letter of the most appropriate response to each question.

6) Flood damaged clothing should first be rinsed in:
    a) hot water with no soap
    b) hot, soapy water
    c) cold water
    d) warm water

7) Why should you wait to pump flood waters out of a basement until the flood waters have receded outside?
    a) the water will just leak back in to the basement
    b) you will just add to someone else's flood problems
    c) gas and sewage leaks may exist
    d) the pressure from the flood outside could cause foundation damage; even basement walls may collapse

8) Which of the following usually can be cleaned and saved after flood waters have covered it?
    a) wooden furniture
    b) upholstered furniture
    c) sheet rock
    d) pianos or pool tables

9) When cleaning unpainted walls, (like concrete walls usually found in basements), it is best to use
    a) bleach and water
    b) mild soap and water
    c) laundry detergent and water
    d) a mixture of bleach and soap

10) When cleaning painted walls, it is best to use
    a) bleach and water
    b) mild soap and water
    c) laundry detergent and water
    d) a mixture of bleach and soap

Completion:

Note: The answers listed below are only a partial list.  There are other possible answers, and you will have to use your best judgment as to their correctness.

11) What hazards may exist when you enter a flood damaged house or apartment for the first time?  List at least four.

Possible answers:
Electrical wires may be down inside your house; electrocution is a danger
Sewage could have seeped in, spreading harmful bacteria
The foundation could be unstable, or close to collapsing
Natural gas may have collected in pockets of your house
Dangerous animals, such as snakes, could still be living in the flooded areas inside a house
ceilings could be loose and either fall on top of you, or give out from underneath you
floors and stairs could be covered with slippery mud
furniture, books, and other items would have been moved around by flood waters; if you are walking through a flooded area, you could trip on these and fall

12) What supplies will you need to help clean your house after the flood?  List at least four.

Possible answers:
bleach        soaps and detergents        rubber boots and gloves          garden hose          buckets

cleaning cloths and towels           sponges           mops          steel wool
 

13) Although there are many things that you can clean and repair yourself, there are some items that should only be cleaned and/or repaired by a professional.  List four of these items.

Possible answers:
electric motors        televisions         radios        washing machines        dryers        refrigerators

dry clean only clothing         automobiles       furnaces/air conditioners        carpet