Tornado and Flood Season is here. According to Travelers Insurance, homes could be as much as 10 times more likely to be damaged by water than by fire. Just a few inches of water from a flood can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage. If you sustain damage to your home or building you most likely will seek the professional help of a restoration company. Once water enters your home it will fall into one of three categories:
- Category 1 Water – This is water that is determined not to present a threat or hazard if consumed by humans.
- Category 2 Water – This is water that is evaluated to have some degree of contamination and would cause illness or sickness if consumed by humans. Time, temperature and environmental elements may drive contamination.
- Category 3 Water – This water is highly contaminated posing the risk of serious illness or death if consumed by humans. As with Category 2, time, temperature and environmental elements may drive contamination.
Water, regardless of the amount, poses big problems if immediate action is not taken. By allowing water to sit for any length of time, microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria start moving in. When a home floods, it becomes a microorganism festival and a breeding ground for our not so favorite friends the MOLD and MILDEW twins. Most fungi produce cells called spores that are spread through the air we breathe. Some molds produce toxic mycotoxins that have been tied to serious health problems. Black mold is the most common problem associated with heavy water damage and can start to grow in as little as 48 hours. Immediate action should be taken as soon as you see mold in your home whether it is from a flood or the steam from daily showers. For information on home mold remediation you may visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s website.
Here are a few action items that can be taken if you are the victim of a flood.
- Call your insurance company to report the loss
- Take pictures if you are able to do so
- Do not turn on the electricity
- Contact a restoration company if appropriate to help you start the clean up process
- Make sure you retrieve your emergency kit, home inventory, important paperwork including your insurance policies and all emergency numbers
- With a large flood do not drink or use tap water until cleared by the proper authorities
For more information or to get a quote on Flood Insurance, stop by one of our six convenient FBinsure offices or call your agent.
http://www.iicrc.org/registrants/industry-perspective/
http://www.who.int/hac/techguidance/ems/flood_cds/en/
http://www.uwyo.edu/ehs/_files/docs/factsheets/thefactsaboutmold.pdf
https://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/preparation_recovery/after_a_flood.jsp
https://www.travelers.com/prepare-prevent/mother-nature/flood-safety/water-damage.aspx
