Flood Preparedness Guide

Transcription

1 Fld Preparedness Guide 2014 Nvember 2014 Page i

2 Acknwledgements This Fld Preparedness Guide is intended t assist and prepare residents and emergency management staff thrughut Alberta. It is nt intended as a cmprehensive r exhaustive dcument n flding r preparedness, and shuld be used in cnjunctin with ther resurces as required. If yu have questins abut this dcument, please cntact: Plans Manager Alberta Emergency Management Agency Ave NW Edmntn, Alberta T5L 2W4 Website: ISBN Cpyright 2014 the Crwn in the Right f Alberta, as represented by the Minister f Municipal Affairs, Alberta Emergency Management Agency, Edmntn, Alberta, Canada. All rights reserved. Permissin is hereby given by the cpyright wner fr any persn t reprduce this dcument r any part theref, fr educatinal purpses and n a nn-prfit basis. Page ii

3 Table f Cntents Acknwledgements... ii Table f Cntents... iii Being Prepared... 5 Fld Ntificatins... 5 Alberta Emergency Alert... 5 Develping a Family Emergency Plan... 6 Emergency Kit... 7 Insurance... 8 Fld Prfing Yur Hme...10 Sanitary Sewer...10 Strm Sewer...10 What Causes Sewer Backup?...10 Supercharged Sanitary Sewers and Flding...10 Dwnsputs and Rf Drainage...10 Fld Preventin...11 Sewer Backup Prtectin Can Help...11 Fld Watches and Warnings...13 Persnal and Family Safety...13 Preparing t Evacuate...13 Prtecting Yur Hme...13 Electrical Appliances...14 Gas-fired Appliances...14 Plumbing...14 Fuel Tanks...14 Agriculture...16 Are Yu Cvered?...16 Safety Net Funding...16 What Are Yur Risks?...17 During Flding...18 After Flding...19 Fd Establishments...19 Prtecting Yurself and Yur Family...19 Insurance Claims...20 Returning Hme...20 Entering Yur Hme...21 Starting the Clean-up...21 Restring Water Supply...22 Emergency Water Disinfectin...22 Cisterns...22 Duguts and Dams...22 Plumbing...23 Wells...23 Restring Sewage System...25 Insect Cntrl...25 Municipal Sewers...25 Outhuses (Pit Privies)...25 Septic Tanks...25 Yard Clean-up...25 Page iii

4 Restring the Heating System...26 Cal/Wd Stves/Furnaces...26 Duct Wrk...26 Gas Furnaces/Appliances...26 Water Heaters...26 Restring Electrical Appliances...27 Restring the Interir f Yur Huse...28 Bedding and Clthing...28 Bks and Paper Gds...28 Ceilings...29 Cement Structures and Surfaces...29 Cleaning Materials...29 Cupbards and Cunters...29 Dishes, Cutlery and Utensils...30 Disinfectants...30 Drs, Windws and Wdwrk...30 Electrnic Equipment...31 Flrs...31 Fd...32 Framed Artwrk...32 Furniture Metal...32 Furniture Uphlstered...33 Furniture Wd...33 Garden Prduce...34 Insulatin...34 Leather...34 Phtgraphs...35 Rugs and Carpets...35 Sandbxes...35 Tys...35 Walls and Wallpaper...35 Alberta Emergency Management Agency Reginal Offices...37 Page iv

5 Being Prepared Fld Ntificatins Alberta Envirnment and Sustainable Resurce Develpment mnitrs weather patterns, precipitatin, and prvincial water levels and flws. Its River Frecasting Centre prvides a cmprehensive series f public advisries abut ptential flding. These include river stage-up advisries, ice-jam warnings, high streamflw advisries, fld watches, and fld warnings. The Centre advises water managers, municipalities, and Gvernment f Alberta departments (including the Alberta Emergency Management Agency) abut fld ptential. Sme imprtant fld definitins include: A High Streamflw Advisry means that stream levels are rising r expected t rise rapidly and n majr flding is expected. Minr flding in lw-lying areas is pssible. Anyne situated clse t the streams affected (campers, fishermen, baters, and the public) is advised t be cautius f the rising levels. A Fld Watch means that stream levels are rising and will apprach r may exceed bank full. Flding f areas adjacent t these streams may ccur. Anyne situated clse t the river is advised t take apprpriate precautinary measures. A Fld Warning means that rising steam levels will result in flding f areas adjacent t the streams affected. Anyne situated clse t the river shuld take apprpriate measures t avid fld damage. In rder t receive imprtant updates n Alberta s rivers, it is recmmended that smartphne users dwnlad the Alberta Rivers Mbile Applicatin. It is available fr ios and Andrid smartphnes frm: Municipal gvernments are respnsible fr infrming their residents abut pssible flding and prviding detailed infrmatin abut what t d t prtect their families and prperty. This infrmatin is ften prvided thrugh newspapers, radi and televisin statins, as well as thrugh Alberta Emergency Alert. Alberta Emergency Alert Alberta Emergency Alert (AEA) is a prvincial gvernment prgram that distributes alerts (critical and infrmatinal) thrughut Alberta via radi and televisin netwrks, an RSS feed, the internet (thrugh the AEA and ther websites), amateur radi netwrk, scial media (Facebk and Twitter), rad signage, utdr digital signs and the AEA applicatin fr ios and Andrid smartphnes. Authrized Users, including emergency managers, lcal gvernment fficials, plice fficials, First Natin representatives, as well as prvincial and federal department representatives, may pst alerts that are distributed thrughut the prvince as required. While there are many distributin channels available, it is recmmended that yu install the Alberta Emergency Alert applicatin n yur smartphne since this prvides alerts directly t yu. Links t the smartphne applicatin can be fund at If yu d nt have a cmpatible smartphne, please bkmark the mbile versin f the AEA website at r sign up fr the available RSS feed which prvides text messages. Page 5

6 Fr mre infrmatin, please visit the Alberta Emergency Alert website at Develping a Family Emergency Plan Cntact yur lcal Directr f Emergency Management r municipal gvernment ffice t find ut what hazards are present in yur area and what actins yu shuld take t be mre prepared fr an emergency r disaster event. Belw are sme suggested activities fr yu and yur family: Learn the warning systems yur municipal gvernment uses. Make sure yu knw what the signals mean, hw they will be used, and what yu shuld d when yu hear them. Develp a family emergency plan: Discuss the hazards in yur area and the ptential disasters that culd ccur. Explain hw t prepare fr and respnd t the incidents. Discuss what t d if advised t evacuate. Practice what yu have discussed. Cnsider yur family pet(s) in yur planning. Cntact yur lcal disaster/emergency services ffice r yur veterinarian t learn mre abut what yu can d in advance fr yur pet(s). Plan hw yur family will stay in cntact if separated by a disaster r emergency: Pick tw meeting places: A lcatin at a safe distance frm yur hme in case f fire. A place utside yur neighburhd in case yu cannt return hme. Chse a relative r friend wh lives utside yur cmmunity, as a check-in cntact fr everyne t call. Prgram mbile phnes with emergency telephne numbers, and pst thse numbers by every landline telephne in yur hme. Teach children hw and when t call fire, plice, and emergency medical services, and which lcal radi statin t tune int fr emergency infrmatin. Shw family members hw and when t shut ff water, gas, and electricity at the main switches. Learn yur cmmunity s evacuatin rutes, as sme hazards may frce yu t leave yur hme. Learn first aid and CPR. Page 6

7 Cnsider and meet with yur neighburs and plan hw yu wuld wrk tgether in a disaster situatin. Include neighburs with special needs, such as elderly r disabled persns in yur planning. Prepare a 72-hur emergency kit fr yur hme and have smaller emergency kits in each f yur vehicles. Maintain the kits (replenish supplies, etc.) and make sure everyne knws where they are stred. See the sectin belw fr mre details. Emergency Kit An emergency can islate yu in yur hme fr several days. After a disaster, lcal emergency services may be respnding t the event, but depending n the situatin, may nt be able t reach everyne immediately. When a disaster ccurs, yu may nt have time t shp r search fr supplies; but if yu have supplies gathered in advance, yur family will be better prepared t withstand islatin r evacuatin. Public Safety Canada recmmends that individuals and families have supplies n hand t take care f themselves fr 72 hurs. Family recrds kept at hme shuld be stred in a prtable, fireprf, and waterprf cntainer: Mrtgage papers, medical recrds, insurance plicies, marriage and birth certificates, wills. Bank accunt and credit card infrmatin, stck and bnd certificates, tax recrds, passprts, physical cmputer backups. Irreplaceable items (phtgraphs, heirlms). Husehld inventry. Imprtant telephne numbers. Stre ptable water in sealed, unbreakable cntainers. Adults need a minimum f ne litre f water per day fr drinking. Ht envirnments and intense physical activity can duble that amunt. Children, nursing mthers, and ill persns may need mre. Replace stred water every six mnths. Make sure yu have at least a three-day supply f fd and water n hand fr each family member. Select fds that require n refrigeratin, and are ready t eat with little r n preparatin and ideally require n water t prepare. Fds shuld be nnperishable, such as canned r sealed-package items. In rder t prperly rtate emergency kit fds with yur regular pantry supplies, ensure that best befre dates are clearly marked. Suggested items are: Ready-t-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables. Canned juices, milk, sup (if pwdered, stre extra water). Cartns f ultra heat-treated (UHT) milk. Staples such as: sugar, salt, and pepper. Page 7

8 High energy fds such as: peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granla bars, and trail mix. Fds fr infants, the elderly r persns n special diets. Cmfrt/stress fds - ckies, hard candy, sweetened cereal, instant cffee, tea bags. Medicines required by family members such as insulin r prescriptins shuld be included in yur emergency kit where practicable. Check with yur pharmacist r physician abut string medicatin. Fds required fr special diets including baby fd. A slar, hand wind-up, r battery-perated radi and flashlight in wrking rder, with extra batteries. First aid kit and manual. Yur lcal fire department, St. Jhn Ambulance ffice, r Canadian Red Crss chapter can advise n what items t include in yur kit. Fire-fighting equipment t suppress small fires, including an all-purpse fire extinguisher (rated A-B-C). Persnal hygiene supplies. Prtable heating device such as a catalytic heater using kersene r prpane. Knw the hazards f using these fuels and be sure t fllw the manufacturer s instructins. Always make sure there is adequate ventilatin t prevent the build-up f hazardus fumes. Fr additinal infrmatin, please cnsult Public Safety Canada s Emergency Preparedness Guide at Insurance Insurance is readily and reasnably available fr hmes (and their cntents), businesses, farm buildings, livestck and equipment, and vehicles f all types. Check regularly with yur insurance agent r brker t ensure sufficient cverage, including any extensins in cverage that may be available, which were nt previusly. Cverage is available fr mst majr hazard, e.g. fire, lightning strikes, an explsin, windstrm, hail, trnad, and many thers. Fld cverage can be added t business plicies, but is nt generally available fr hmewners at this time. Plicies may include cverage fr damage caused by sewer back-up. Make sure yur plicy includes sewer back-up insurance. Keep a detailed inventry f yur residence and/r business. Keep it in yur emergency kit. It will be invaluable in the event f lss r damage. Make sure yur insurance plicies and related recrds are in a safe lcatin and easily available after an emergency r disaster event. Page 8

9 The Insurance Bureau f Canada has infrmatin n all aspects f insurance. Their tll free number is Knw what yur insurance cmpany requires shuld yu need t make a claim. Prvincial disaster recvery prgrams will nt cmpensate fr damage and lss fr which insurance was readily and reasnably available befre the disaster ccurred. Knw and understand the terms and cnditins f yur plicy. It is a cmmn bservatin that after an emergency r disaster ccurs, a significant number f peple state that they were nt actually aware f these imprtant details. In sme cases, peple learned they did nt actually have the cverage they had assumed r believed they had paid fr. During r after a disaster is nt the time t learn this. Page 9

10 Fld Prfing Yur Hme Municipal gvernments prevent flding by maintaining the sewage systems. If yu experience drainage prblems, begin by ensuring that the surce f flding is nt n yur prperty. All hmewners shuld take steps t fld prf their prperty. Key t this is understanding why flding ccurs. Sanitary Sewer A sanitary sewer is a pipe lcated in the street that is designed t transprt wastewater frm yur hme. This cnsists f water frm sanitary fixtures and flr drains inside yur huse, as well as grundwater frm weeping tiles arund the fundatin f yur hme. Strm Sewer A strm sewer is a pipe lcated in the street that is designed t carry strm-related water runff. Strm sewers are nrmally much larger than sanitary sewers because they are designed t carry much larger amunts f flw. What Causes Sewer Backup? Extra strm-related water frm surces ther than wastewater and grundwater shuld flw int the strm sewer r sak slwly int the grund withut entering the sanitary sewer. If excess strm water des enter the sanitary sewer system, it can cause a supercharged sewer flw. An eight-inch (20 cm) sanitary sewer can handle wastewater frm up t 500 hmes, and it takes nly a few unexpected water surces t verlad this kind f system. Supercharged Sanitary Sewers and Flding A supercharged sewer flws at a greater than nrmal level. Basement flding can ccur if the hme has sanitary fixtures r flr drains belw the supercharged level. Dwnsputs and Rf Drainage Mst hmes are equipped with dwnsputs that discharge the water cllected by eaves trughs directly int the grund. Excess water runs int the frnt street where it enters the strm sewer. It is very imprtant that this water des nt enter the sanitary sewer. If yur dwnsput drains t clse t the side f yur huse, this water can drain int the sanitary sewer thrugh the weeping tile adjacent t yur huse fundatin. Damage r sanitary sewer surcharging can ccur if rainwater drains t clse t yur huse n grund that may nt be tightly cmpacted. The excavatin fr yur basement may have been dug a few feet wider n all sides t allw wrking rm during cnstructin f the basement walls. When this extra space was backfilled, the sil may nt have been tamped dwn as tightly as the riginal sil, making it mre likely t settle and trap surface water. Surface water saking dwn t yur fundatin can create prblems: it can damage yur fundatin; seep thrugh cracks in yur basement wall, causing dampness; r verlad the sanitary sewer by draining thrugh weeping tiles, causing a sewer backup. Page 10

11 Fld Preventin Fill in any settlement next t yur huse. Redirect strm water away frm yur huse. Make sure the grund slpes away frm yur huse n all sides. Always keep yur dwnsput extensin in place. Check t see that yur dwnsput extensin drains a gd distance away frm yur huse in an area that will nt erde. Be careful that water des nt drain int yur neighbr s prperty. If yur dwnsput is cnnected t the weeping tile adjacent t yur hme, discnnect it immediately. If yu are cnstructing a new hme and plan t build n a slab, r install a washrm in the basement, cnsider taking the necessary precautins t prevent sewage and water frm backing up int yur huse thrugh the sanitary drains. Yu may als cnsider taking these precautins in an existing hme, but these changes vary in cmplexity and cst. Yu may be able t d sme fld-prfing tasks yurself, while ther changes need a qualified cntractr r tradesman. One aspect f fld prtectin invlves the installatin f backflw valves n tilets, flr drains, washing machine drains, rain dwnsputs, sump pumps, and any sink drains in the basement. Main sewer lines and septic cnnectins shuld als be cnsidered. These are designed t prevent sewage and water frm backing up thrugh these waste lines. Sme backflw valves perate autmatically while thers may have t be clsed by hand. In mst cases, the backflw valves may need t be installed by a qualified plumber r cntractr accrding t existing building cdes. Be sure yu understand the type f backflw valves installed, including their peratin and maintenance. Yur municipal ffice can ffer further advice n fld prfing cnsideratins r requirements that might be specific t yur gegraphic lcatin. Sewer Backup Prtectin Can Help Talk t a qualified plumber befre yu install any sewer backup prtectin devices. Plumbing fixtures such as tilets, sinks, shwers, flr drains, and washing machines that are set belw grund level require special prtectin frm sewer backup. Belw are a number devices that can be helpful in sewer backup preventin A screw cap installed upstream f the trap seal f the flr drain may prevent backup issues. Page 11

12 A Canadian Standards Assciatin (CSA) apprved inline sewer backwater valve shuld prevent sewer backup if yu maintain it prperly and have it checked regularly. Yur plumber can prvide yu details n maintenance. Where a backwater valve is insufficient prtectin, yu may need a gate valve and a backwater valve fr basement plumbing fixtures that are subject t backflw. Sewer backup insurance is available n mst plicies fr a small premium. Check with yur insurance agent r brker. Page 12

13 Fld Watches and Warnings Yu can greatly reduce yur risk f damage r lss if yu take the fllwing precautins at the first warning f fld. Persnal and Family Safety Listen t televisin, and radi reprts fr the latest strm infrmatin. Subscribe t Alberta Emergency Alert thrugh Facebk, Twitter, r smartphne applicatins. Dwnlad and use the Alberta Rivers smartphne applicatin. Be prepared t evacuate. Preparing t Evacuate Prepare a list f family members prescribed medicatins including generic names and prescribed dsage. List the name and telephne numbers f yur dctrs. Fr thse wh rely n medical devices such as a pacemaker, the style, serial number, and ther pertinent infrmatin shuld be carried with yu at all times. Ensure that yu have mved yur emergency equipment ut f the basement t an upper flr. Ensure that yu have a prtable slar, hand wind-up, r battery-perated radi and spare batteries. Listen t the radi fr fld advisries and warnings and fllw instructins frm yur lcal gvernment. Have a full tank f fuel in yur vehicle. An electrical utage due t flding may shut dwn service statin pumps. If yu d nt have persnal transprtatin, make alternative arrangements with a neighbur. Knw hw t use the manual verride f yur garage dr. Have an emergency key release if yur garage dr is the nly access and exit t yur hme. Perfrm a manual peratin safety test regularly. Decide what basic supplies yur family requires and stck up immediately. Pack supplies in waterprf cntainers r plastic garbage bags. Essentials include warm clthing and waterprf rubber bts, raincats, blankets r sleeping bags in sealed plastic bags, prescriptin medicines, and first-aid supplies, persnal identificatin fr each family member (name tags and wallet cards), twels, sap, persnal hygiene and tiletry items. Prtecting Yur Hme Take special nte f the preparatins yu must take t prtect yur hme and majr electrical and gas-fired appliances. Lcate sandbags, plywd, plastic sheeting, and lumber t prtect yur huse. Page 13

14 Remve whichever husehld effects yu can, and mve pssessins frm the basement t an upper flr if remval is nt practical r pssible. Seal hazardus materials such as weed killers and insecticides in plastic garbage bags and mve them int safe strage r dispse f them safely. Electrical Appliances At the first warning turn ff electrical pwer and leave it ff. If the basement is already wet, d nt attempt t shut ff electricity. Water usually ruins electrical mtrs. Mve all prtable electric heaters, pwer tls, and electrical appliances t a safe place. If remval is nt practical, and yu are qualified t d s, cnsider remving the mtrs, cntrls and switches frm furnaces, refrigeratrs, and washers. Cnsider mving all thermally insulated appliances such as freezers and refrigeratrs t upper flrs f the huse. Gas-fired Appliances At the first sign f flding, turn ff all gas-fired appliances and put ut the pilt light. Turn ff the gas inlet valve t yur hme, which is lcated at the gas meter. This will prevent gas frm escaping when the inlet valve is re-pened, in the event that any burner cntrls have been accidentally been left pen. D nt remve any gas-fired appliances withut ensuring that the main gas inlet valve has been clsed. There shuld be n smking r pen flames f any kind in the area. T avid causing sparks, use a flashlight taped in the n psitin. Fr a frced air furnace, mve the fan mtr and fan t a dry strage place if pssible. D nt drain the ht water tank it will serve as ballast t secure the tank in place. If gas appliances are remved, the gas utlets shuld be made tight by means f a plugged valve, a cap, r a plug n the piping system. Plumbing Remve any basement tilet bwls. Plug these utlets and all ther basement utlets, such as flr drains, sinks, laundry drains, etc., t prevent fldwater frm entering them. Use wden plugs r beanbags and secure these utlets with plank braces nailed securely t flr jists. Fuel Tanks Anchr prpane tanks t keep them frm mving, even if they are full. Turn ff the tank valve. Page 14

15 Discnnect the tubing and seal the end. Secure the tank with heavy rpe r chain, i.e., smething heavy enugh t resist the frce f fldwaters. Page 15

16 Agriculture Are Yu Cvered? It is necessary that yu take all pssible precautinary measures befre an emergency arises. Only if the emergency situatin exceeds yur ability t respnd will the respnsibility shift t the municipal, prvincial r federal gvernment levels. It is imprtant t nte hwever, the gvernment will nly prvide cmpensatin if the disaster is an extrardinary event, financially devastating and mst imprtantly, if the lsses culd nt have been cvered by insurance. Safety Net Funding Safety net funding is available t help prducers adpt ecnmically viable management practices. Prductin insurance prvides Alberta farmers with a prductin guarantee n crp lsses caused by natural perils. Pasture insurance, which ffers tw new prducts - satellite imagery insurance and misture deficiency insurance - t prvide prducers with mre ptins t allw them t design their insurance plicy t meet their wn farm management strategies. The Agriculture Financial Services Crpratin (AFSC) has a number f lan prgrams fr Albertans. Infrmatin n these prgrams can be btained by calling r by accessing the AFSC website at Alberta Agriculture and Rural Develpment administers the Agriculture Drught Risk Management Plan, which helps t ensure a pr-active, crdinated and cnsistent gvernment respnse befre, during and after a drught crisis. Fr mre infrmatin, visit Farmers need t carry prperty insurance that will prtect them in the event f majr disasters such as fires r windstrms. Gvernments will nt prvide financial assistance where insurance is reasnably and readily available. Farmers need t take the time t review their plicies t ensure they have adequate cverage. Chsing nt t insure majr items such as livestck, buildings, and machinery may cause unnecessary financial hardship. Gvernments will nt cmpensate farmers fr lsses that they chse nt t insure. It is imprtant t get insurance t prepare fr an eventual disaster and there are ther farming practices as well t cnsider. Fr example, the type f crp farmers chse t seed in perids f either drught r wet cnditins may have an impact n the prfitability f their peratin. Pst disaster farming practices can als have a bearing n hw well the land recvers. Fr example, sil ersin preventin measures against wind and water will be f great benefit in preserving tp sil and fertility. Page 16

17 What Are Yur Risks? Can yu withstand a crp failure r lss f sme r all f yur livestck? Wuld yur insurance adequately cver yur lss f capital assets and/r incme in the event f a disaster? What adverse weather culd affect yur farm? What precautins have yu taken t prtect yur family and the farm? Are yu familiar with the Emergency Management Act, the Water Act and the Sil Cnservatin Act? Keeping in mind ptential disasters, have yu cnsidered all yur prductin ptins? The University f Wiscnsin Disaster Handbk is an excellenct reference, prviding detailed infrmatin n preparedness and respnse t flds, fire, drught, trnades, winter strms, cmmunity/family issues. The Handbk is available at Page 17

18 During Flding Listen t yur lcal media, as well as gvernment bradcasts (including Alberta Emergency Alert). Imprtant instructins fr yur safety and infrmatin n the situatin will be bradcast n lcal statins. If yu are requested t leave the area, d s immediately and fllw instructins issued by yur municipal fficials. Remember yur neighbrs, particularly the disabled and/r the elderly. They may need yur help r the assistance f municipal emergency services. Stay ut f the flded area until the municipal authrity gives permissin t return. Barricades are placed n rads fr yur prtectin. If yu encunter a barricade, g anther way. Avid standing water, as it may be electrically charged frm grund r dwned pwer lines. D nt attempt t drive ver a flded rad. Fldwaters can cnceal debris r areas where the rad has erded. The grund underneath will prbably be slippery. Watch fr damaged rads, lse r dwned wires and fallen bjects n the rad. D nt drive thrugh water unless yu are certain the rad is safe and the water is n higher than the wheels f yur vehicle. Prceed slwly t avid splashing water n the engine and stalling it. When emerging frm water, drive carefully because wet brakes d nt wrk well. If yur car stalls in rising waters, get ut immediately and make yur way t higher grund. D nt attempt t crss a flwing stream. Yu can be swept ff yur feet by nly 15 centimeters (6 inches) f mving water. D nt attempt t drive thrugh fldwaters r underpasses. The water may be deeper than it appears. Avid areas prne t flash flding. D nt phne the municipal gvernment, plice, r fire department unless yu r thers are in need f assistance. Internet surces and traditinal media will keep yu infrmed. D nt attempt search and rescue activities n yur wn. Page 18

19 After Flding After a fld, yur municipal gvernment will ntify the public thrugh the media when it is safe t return hme. Belw are sme imprtant tips t help yu clean up and restre yur prperty. If yu require mre specific infrmatin n cleanup, cntact yur municipal ffice r Alberta Health Services. Let yur insurance agent r brker knw as sn as pssible abut any lss r damage. If yu are a tenant, infrm yur landlrd abut any fld damage t the prperty. Fd Establishments If yu wn r manage a fd establishment, cntact Alberta Health Services fr directin. Prtecting Yurself and Yur Family Fldwater may be cntaminated with sewage and ther pllutants, This can pse a health hazard, and as such, prper cleanup is essential. Cntact Alberta Health Services if yu suspect sewage cntaminatin. Be sure t cmply with their recmmendatins abut using respiratrs, special clthing, r ther prtective measures. D nt try t save carpets, clthing r bedding that have been expsed t sewage. Sewage cntaminated waste materials shuld be placed in heavy-duty garbage bags and tagged. Fllw yur municipality s instructins fr dispsal. D nt allw children int the huse r yard until everything has been cleaned and disinfected. If children must be present during clean up, supervise them clsely. Wear rubber bts, rubber glves, and eye prtectin t prevent injuries. Be vigilant abut gd persnal hygiene, i.e., wash face and hands with sap befre eating, drinking, r smking. Check yur newspaper and listen t yur lcal radi r televisin statins fr infrmatin abut help that may be prvided by yur municipal r the prvincial gvernment, r ther agencies. Prmpt actin will help t prevent mld. Try t get all wet surfaces clean, disinfected and dry as sn as pssible. Cleanup pririties include: Remving water as sn as pssible. Cleaning ut mud and ther debris. Discarding all materials that cannt be saved. Place them in a bag, tag the bag(s), and dispse f them accrding t municipal regulatins. Wash and rinse all fabrics and furniture that will be sent ut fr cleaning, then dry and take them t the cleaners as sn as pssible. Wash and rinse all surfaces, then disinfect them. A fld disaster is bth mentally and physically stressful. Take steps s that yu and yur family maintain their health. Page 19

20 Rest ften and eat prperly. Make a list f jbs that need t be dne and d them in the rder f pririty, ne at a time. Talk t thers abut yur cncerns and d nt be afraid t ask fr help. Check yur newspaper, listen t lcal radi r televisin statins fr infrmatin, and help frm yur municipal gvernment n cping with the emtinal effects f a disaster. Befre hiring clean up r repair cntractrs, make sure they are qualified t d the jb. Check t ensure they have a business license. Get at least three written estimates, utlining the wrk that needs t be dne, the ttal cst, and the start and cmpletin dates. Ask fr references and check them ut. Insurance Claims Infrm yur insurance prvider as sn as pssible abut any damage t yur prperty r vehicles. Obtain receipts fr any emergency repairs r fr clean-ups that are needed t prevent r minimize further damage t yur prperty. Phtgraph and/r vide tape the damage t supprt a pssible insurance claim. The Insurance Bureau f Canada prvides infrmatin abut insurance claims. Their tll free number is Returning Hme As sn as fldwaters have receded and yu have been ntified that the fld danger is ver, yu will want t return t yur huse and start cleaning up. D nt attempt t live in the huse, hwever, until yu take the fllwing precautins: Have the electric pwer system checked by an electrician. Have natural gas and prpane appliances checked by a gas fitter. The water supply has been declared safe fr drinking. Yur sanitatin facilities are wrking. All fld-cntaminated rms have been cleaned and disinfected. Page 20

21 Entering Yur Hme Make sure the building is safe befre entering. Check fr fundatin damage and make sure all prch rfs and verhangs have their supprts intact. Cntact a building inspectr if yu suspect damage. If yu see dwned pwer lines r smell gas, leave the building and cntact yur utility cmpany. If the main pwer switch was nt turned ff prir t flding, d nt re-enter yur hme until a qualified electrician has determined it is safe t d s. If yur basement was flded, d nt switch n the electricity until a qualified electrician has checked the cmplete system. Buildings with extensive damage t walls and clay basements require inspectin by a building inspectr. Take cautin when entering the building. A dr sticking at the tp culd mean that the ceiling is ready t fall. If yu have t frce the dr pen, make sure yu stand utside, well clear f any falling debris. Lk fr wet plaster n the ceiling. Knck it dwn with a stick befre mving arund. Use a flashlight t inspect fr damage inside the huse. D nt strike a match r use an pen flame unless yu knw the gas has been turned ff and the area has been ventilated. Watch yur step. The flrs and stairs can be very slippery, and silt n a basement flr may cnceal nails r brken glass. Open all drs and windws t dry ut the building. Starting the Clean-up Pump ut the basement when it is safe t d s. If water has been standing fr sme time, is visibly cludy, and/r has a ful smell, it is likely cntaminated and requires urgent treatment and remval. Pumps, wet/dry vacuums, and dehumidifiers may be available t rent. Mve yur belngings ut f the wet area. Clean and then spread ut t dry. If yur hme was flded by sewage, discard expsed carpets, clthing, bedding and stuffed tys. Place these items and any ther items yu d nt want t keep in heavyduty garbage bags fr dispsal. Remve all mud and debris by scraping and washing with detergent, using a stiff brm r brush. This may be cntaminated material and may need t be prperly dispsed f. Fllw yur municipality s instructins fr dispsal. Never leave waste n the grund where children are at risk and insects r animals culd pick up disease-causing rganisms. Page 21

22 Disinfect all walls, flrs, ceilings, and fixtures after they have dried. Make yur wn disinfecting slutin by adding 125 millilitres (a half-cup) f husehld bleach t 9 litres (2 gallns) f water r use a cmmercial disinfectant accrding t directins. After washing metals with a chlrine slutin, ensure that they are thrughly rinsed with water t prevent crrsin. Cat cast-irn items with vegetable il t prevent rusting. D nt use gas-pwered generatrs, camping stves r charcal barbecues indrs. Restring Water Supply Water must be biled r chlrinated befre use until flded and cntaminated wells, cisterns, duguts, and dams have been treated, and water samples analyzed as safe by yur lcal public health fficials. Until well and cistern water is made safe, disinfect available water accrding t the fllwing table. Add the slutin t the water, thrughly mix and allw t stand fr 30 minutes. The water shuld have a slight chlrine taste. If this taste is nt present, repeat the dsage and allw t stand fr anther 30 minutes. Emergency Water Disinfectin Type f water t be treated (4.5 litres r 1 galln) Dsage f disinfecting cmpunds Chlrine Bleach Drps Water Purificatin Tablets Clear water 4 Fllw directins n bttle Cludy water 10 Fllw directins n bttle Cisterns Cisterns must be emptied, thrughly cleaned, and refilled with chlrinated water. The fllwing prcedure shuld be used t get a cistern back int service: Remve all mud, cleaning the cistern thrughly with brm r brush. Disinfect with a cncentrated slutin f chlrine bleach: 450 millilitres (2 cups) t 450 litres (100 gallns) f water. Pump a thrughly mixed, cncentrate slutin f chlrine bleach thrugh the system. Then clse all utlets and allw the slutin t remain in the system fr eight hurs. Thrughly rinse the whle system with disinfected water. The dur f chlrine must disappear cmpletely. This step is essential because chlrine can crrde metal pipes and tanks. Duguts and Dams Fllw this prcedure t put a dugut back in service: Pump ut and remve sludge and debris. Page 22

23 Make any repairs required. Refill the dugut. Cnsider installing a cntinuus chlrinatin-filtratin system. Technical advice and infrmatin may be btained frm yur Alberta Agriculture and Rural Develpment district ffice. Plumbing During a fld, the water pressure in plumbing lines can reverse, and water in ht and cld pipes can be cntaminated with fldwater. Have a plumber inject bleach int the lines t disinfect them The fting drains utside yur fundatins may have been verladed r blcked during the flding. Have them checked by smene trained in plumbing and drains. Flr drains may be partially r fully blcked because f the flding. Carefully flush, clean and disinfect flr drains and sump pumps. Wells Wells must be thrughly pumped ut and inflw water chlrinated. This prcedure shuld nt be attempted n shallw wells until at least tw weeks after fldwaters have receded. Otherwise, they may be re-cntaminated by plluted grund water. Use the fllwing prcedure fr getting a well back int service: Pump ut the well. Thrughly clean bred r dug wells. Remve flating debris and scrub r hse freign material frm well cribbing r casing. Then pump the well until water is clear. Pump 900 litres (200 gallns) f water int clean strage near the well. Pur 9 litres (2 gallns) f husehld laundry bleach (5.25 per cent chlrine) int well. Yu can get an equivalent strength f chlrine by substituting 4.5 litres (I galln) sdium hypchlrite (12 per cent chlrine) r 0.6 kilgrams (22 unces) by weight f calcium hypchlrite (70 per cent chlrine.) Allw water t return t the nn-pumping level in the well. Mix 9 litres (2 gallns) f husehld laundry bleach int the 900 litres (200 gallns) f water stred near the well and syphn the mixture int the well. Open each hydrant, faucet and ther utlet in the distributin system and let it run until water at the utlet has a chlrine dur. Allw chlrine mixture t stand in the entire distributin system at least eight hurs, preferably vernight. After the chlrine mixture has been in the system fr at least eight hurs, pen an utside tap and let the mixture run nt the grund surface until all chlrine durs has Page 23

24 disappeared. In high capacity wells it may be necessary t add enugh clean water t the well during pumping t displace the water stred abve the pump intake. Backwash all filters and sfteners and flush the ht water tank. If the wastewater has a chlrine dur and yu have difficulty remving the chlrine frm the well, it indicates that t much chlrine was used. When the crrect quantity f chlrine is used, the wastewater will have a chlrine dur, but the dur will disappear after the well has been pumped cntinuusly fr tw t three hurs. D nt pump the wastewater int the septic tank. It will impair peratin and cause flding. After yu have fllwed these prcedures, btain a sterile water-testing bttle frm yur lcal health unit and return a well water sample fr analysis. D nt use the well water withut first disinfecting it and until yu have been ntified that the water sample is safe. Page 24

25 Restring Sewage System A huse shuld nt be re-ccupied until satisfactry tilet facilities have been restred. Slid r liquid wastes must never be depsited n the grund where insects and animals can pick up and spread disease-causing rganisms. Insect Cntrl Fr advice n insect cntrl, cntact Alberta Health Services r a prfessinal pest cntrl cmpany. Municipal Sewers Hmewners will be ntified when the municipal sewage system has been restred. Outhuses (Pit Privies) Ensure that the uthuse is securely ver the pit. If water remains in the pit, add 0.50 litres (2 cups) f husehld laundry bleach r 0.45 kilgram (1 lb.) f chlride r lime every week until the water disappears. If the uthuse has been washed away, cver pen pits t prevent accidents and the spread f disease, until it can be replaced. Septic Tanks Septic tanks will nt perate until the dispsal (leaching) field has dried. Check the siphn/pumping chamber (secnd cmpartment) t ensure that the intake f the siphn r pump is nt blcked. Never enter a septic tank t check ut a pump r siphn system withut being prtected by a certified air pack and a safety harness with rpe. The atmsphere in a septic tank can be lethal causing death withut the use f prper safety equipment. At least ne bserver must be present when anyne enters a septic tank. This is fr safety reasns and fr quick remval f a persn frm the tank if anything shuld happen t cause a dangerus situatin. Yard Clean-up Fllw yur municipality s instructins fr dispsal f cntaminated materials and ther debris. Lcate garbage fr cllectin by municipal services at a safe distance frm the hme and dwngrade f a well. Make sure that materials that attract insects r animals are sealed in animal-prf cntainers. Page 25

26 Restring the Heating System Befre starting up the heating system, prtect yurself against the hazards f fire, suffcatin, and explsin. Be careful t take all precautins t ensure the heating system is safe befre resuming use. Have it inspected by a qualified technician. Cal/Wd Stves/Furnaces Befre lighting the furnace, examine the inside f the cmbustin chamber and clean it thrughly. Wash sediment frm all pipes and ducts with a hse r a swab n a lng stick. Access can usually be made thrugh the clean-ut dr abve the fire dr. If the heater has a jacket, clean between the heater and the utside casing. Ensure that the chimney is nt plugged. Take the smke pipe ut f the chimney and remve any mud frm the lwer part f the chimney. Have the heating system checked by a qualified technician befre using it again. Duct Wrk Hire a cntractr t clean and inspect ductwrk. Gas Furnaces/Appliances D nt tuch any electrical fixtures r switches. If the dur f gas is present, leave the building immediately, leaving the drs pen. Cntact the gas utility cmpany. D nt re-enter the building until the leak has been repaired. When it is safe t clean gas appliances: Discnnect the vent cnnectrs frm appliances and clean thrughly. Open the clean-ut dr at the base f the chimney and clean it thrughly, remving mud and debris. Remve and clean any fan assemblies that have gtten wet. If any electric mtr has been wet, have it checked by an electrician. It may be dangerus t use. D nt tuch any gas cntrls r attempt t recnnect gas appliances. The system must be checked by a licensed gasfitter befre being put back int service. Have prpane systems checked by a licensed gasfitter befre turning them n. Water Heaters Water heaters are insulated with glass fiber, which can becme sggy and saturated under its cver if flded. If the appliance can be repaired, have the insulatin replaced, as it is cntaminated by the fldwaters. Page 26

27 Restring Electrical Appliances The main electrical panel must be cleaned, dried, and tested by a qualified electrician t ensure that it is safe. An electrician shuld check all electrical appliances that were impacted by fldwaters befre being used. Depending n the depth f water in which the appliance was submerged, it may be less cstly t replace rather than repair appliances. Appliances with fam insulatin, such as vens, refrigeratrs, and freezers that were submerged in fldwater, may have t be discarded because they cannt be disinfected. Check with an experienced servicepersn as t whether r nt it is pssible t remve and replace the insulatin. All lighting fixtures that were submerged in water shuld be remved, cleaned and dried, and checked. Clean utlet bxes, wiring and sckets but d nt remve cnnectins r discnnect wiring. Cnnectins in wiring and lights and small appliances can be wet and sggy even after the cver tape lks dry. Be sure they are dry befre using. If yu have any dubt abut appliances r wiring, cntact yur electrician. Make sure the pwer supply is turned ff befre wrking n utlets and fixtures. Flr and table lamps shuld be cmpletely disassembled, cleaned and dried befre using. Extensin crds that are nt in gd cnditin shuld be discarded. Page 27

28 Restring the Interir f Yur Huse Bedding and Clthing Discard mattresses, bx springs, pillws, and cmfrters that were saked with fldwaters. They cannt disinfected and cleaned. Have wl, silk, and rayn clthes dry-cleaned as sn as pssible. Remve mud frm remaining clthes and bedding by rinsing in cld water. Then wash in warm sapy water, adding a disinfectant at the end f the washing cycle. Cttn and linen fabrics siled with red r yellw clay require special treatment. D nt immerse them in ht, sapy water r the stains will set. Brush ff all lse dirt and rinse until n mre dirt can be remved. Then wash in warm sapy water, using several washings if necessary. Add disinfectant at the end f the washing cycle, but be careful when bleaching clred materials. Test a small sectin f a seam with the slutin. Mildew stains are caused by a fungus grwth. Remve light stains n cttn r linen with lemn juice r husehld bleach. Bks and Paper Gds It may nt be pssible t salvage bks and ther paper gds that have been saturated by fldwaters. Paper that is kept tgether in a wet state fr several days may meld int a slid mass and becme unsalvageable. If yu have imprtant r valuable bks yu wish t restre: Hld bk clsed when rinsing. If the bk is partially wet r damp, stand bk n the tp r bttm edge with cvers pen at a 90 angle and air dry. If a bk is very wet: lay it flat n a clean surface; interleave less than 20 per cent f bk with absrbent material and replace interleaving when it becmes damp. After pages have been expsed t the air fr a while, press them t prevent crumbling. Alternate drying and pressing until the pages are thrughly dry, therwise mildew will result. Avid drying bks t lng in full sun as this can damage the bindings. If yu have t many bks t air dry in 24 hurs: Rinse ff dirt, twel dry by bltting (nt rubbing) and wrap bks lsely in freezer r waxed paper. Pack spine dwn in sturdy cntainers. Freeze. Air dry paper dcuments in small piles abut half an inch high. Interleave: Replace interleaving with dry sheets when it becmes damp. If there are t many items fr airdrying interleave (by grups r individually), wrap with freezer r waxed paper, pack carefully in sturdy cntainers and freeze. Make every attempt t clean and save legal dcuments and ther valuable papers, as this is less cstly than paying t replace them. If mld damage has ccurred, r the dcument is becming distrted, fcus n saving the infrmatin: Page 28

29 Have true cpies ntarized. The damaged riginals can then be destryed and the certified cpies preserved. Check with a lawyer t determine which dcuments can be saved in this way. Birth recrds, passprts and ther gvernment dcuments can be replaced and the damaged versins destryed. Check with yur lcal gvernment ffices t find ut which dcuments can be replaced in this way. Large dcuments, such as maps, can be preserved by passing them thrugh ht rllers at a cpy shp that makes blueprints. This must be dne befre the paper dries. Ceilings If the ceiling has mld grwth, treat it with a full strength bleach slutin, but be sure t check the surce f the prblem and als the cnditin f the insulatin. Carefully clean ceilings that are nly surface damp, t ensure that a thin film f mld did nt grw when the air was very wet r muggy. Use a chlrine bleach slutin. Ceilings abve the high-water mark may be dry and undamaged, but shuld still be checked as water can wick upward and alng wall materials, saturating ceilings. Clean and disinfect after checking. Cement Structures and Surfaces Pump ut the basement when it is safe t d s. Be aware that the water may be plluted and shuld be dispsed f accrding t yur municipality s instructins. Use a wet/dry vacuum t remve all mud, dirt and ther debris frm cement walls and flrs f yur hme. A vacuum with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter is recmmended t reduce the distributin f respirable cntaminants thrughut the hme. T clean and disinfect cement surfaces use a slutin f water and tri-sdium phsphate (TSP). Fllw the manufacturer s instructins fr preparing and using the slutin. Ensure this slutin cvers all the cement surfaces. Cleaning Materials Use laundry detergent fr general cleaning and dishwashing liquid fr remving dirt frm lightly siled material and surfaces. Rinse ff any residue because t much sap r detergent can leave a film n surfaces. Use warm, nt ht water, fr washing, as ht water can set stains frm cntaminants that were in the fldwater. Use chlrine bleach fr disinfecting surfaces and materials that are bleach tlerant. Keep the area well ventilated as cleaning prducts can affect the lungs and skin. Cupbards and Cunters All surfaces f cunters and cupbards must be thrughly cleaned and disinfected. Page 29

30 Dishes, Cutlery and Utensils Thrughly wash all cntaminated dishes, cutlery and utensils, then sterilize by immersing them in biling water r a disinfecting slutin such as ne (1) part husehld chlrine bleach t three (3) parts water, r a cmmercial prduct as per the manufacturer s instructins, fr ten minutes. Alternatively, the dishes can be washed in a dishwasher using very ht water. T prevent rusting, cat cast irn utensils with vegetable il befre putting them away. Clean brass and cpper with a recmmended cleaner. Wash with warm sapy water and dry. Disinfectants Husehld liquid chlrine bleach (5 per cent sdium hypchlrite slutin) is an effective disinfectant fr mst bacteria and fungi (like mld). Use bleach carefully and be sure yu have crss ventilatin. Surfaces and structures with mld grwth - use full strength husehld bleach and let it remain n the surface fr 15 minutes. Fr surfaces (nt cement), structures, dishes, cutlery and utensils where n mld is visible - use ne (1) part bleach t three (3) parts water. Bleach can destry rganic fabrics s d nt use n silk and wl items. It can als weaken cttn fibres s use with care. Bleach can affect the clurs f many surfaces and materials. Test n a small area befre using. Never mix bleach with ammnia. The fumes prduced tgether are very txic. Fr wden surfaces that culd be damaged by a bleach slutin - use a 5 t 10 percent brax slutin with dishwashing detergent, then next day wash with a ne (1) part vinegar t three (3) part water slutin and then rinse. Drs, Windws and Wdwrk Remve all drknbs befre cleaning, disinfecting, and drying drs. Lay drs n a level surface with wden strips separating them. This will permit level drying with minimal warping. Disassemble and clean lcks. Wipe wrking parts with kersene and then il them sparingly t prevent dripping. Dr and windw frames shuld be checked fr warping and twisting and repaired if necessary. Sliding windws shuld be remved and bth the windws and the track cleaned and disinfected. Page 30

31 Sliding r bi-fld drs shuld be remved and bth the dr and tracks cleaned and disinfected. D nt paint and redecrate until everything is cmpletely dry r yur effrts will be wasted. Electrnic Equipment Cmputers, radis, steres, and televisins that have been under water may be unsalvageable. Check with yur lcal electrnics repair shp. Wear glves when handling diskettes and cmpact disks t avid scratching the surfaces. D nt use magnetized tls/scissrs. Bathe cmpact disks and diskettes in clean, distilled water, dry with lint-free twels. When cpying the disks, clean drive heads frequently t prtect equipment. Flrs Plywd and particlebard sub flrs are usually nt recverable after having been submerged in water. They are cnstructed with nn-waterprf glues that separate when in cntact with water. Basement sub flrs may need t be remved t allw thrugh cleaning, disinfecting and drying. Otherwise mld grwth and drs will persist. Flrs laid n cncrete must be pened at bth ends and warm air frced between jints t dry bth the wd and the cncrete. If drs persist after drying, the flr may have t be remved. Remve wet carpets and ther spnge-like materials ff flrs as sn as pssible, s that the flr des nt start t distrt r delaminate. Clean and disinfect flrs and allw t dry at nrmal temperature. Saked wd flrs, especially hardwd, will likely buckle. Restre them as fllws: Clean and disinfect, and allw t dry at nrmal temperature. D nt attempt repairs f wden flrs until they are thrughly dried. When the flrs are dry, draw back sme f the buckling bards with nails. Plane r sand dwn small humps. Salvaged flrs will be marred but may serve as a base fr new cvering. Hardwd flrs are smewhat difficult t repair. It may be pssible t draw sme f the buckled bards back with nails. Small humps may be remved by planning r sanding. If warped badly, the flr may have t be replaced. Tngue and grve sub-flrs may buckle r warp after being saked. Usually applying additinal nails r screws t the buckled areas can repair this. Page 31