Homesteaders and off-grid folks should be prepared for possible floods. Even if you live in an area where floods are rare, safeguarding the life you spent years building is crucial for your peace and safety.
Preparing Before a Flood
These are the top to-dos to complete to prepare your land for a flood. Weather reports do not have to say a torrential storm is coming. These tasks are still worth doing so when an alert occurs, you’ll be ready.
Elevate Structures and Essential Systems
All animal housing, storage structures, utility systems and homes should be moved to higher ground. Even a couple of inches above ground level is enough to make an impact. Electrical necessities, like generators and external battery storage, must receive higher precedent. Risers increase the chances of equipment remaining operational during intense weather.
Homesteaders may use their area’s base flood elevation (BFE) metric to know a solid baseline. The number uses data to estimate how high water could get in a 100-year period. Pier foundations and stilts are popular options for areas prone to flooding.
Create Flood Barriers
Riparian buffers, berms, swales, sandbags and other landscaping methods are natural ways to prevent floodwaters from encroaching on the property because hey soak up and divert as much water as possible to other sources.
The right barriers allow the ground to soak water into underground reservoirs or redirect it to waterways. If you can manage it, dams and retaining walls are more robust ways to halt or divert rushing water.
Develop an Emergency Plan
Emergency plans involve more than an escape route. Households should write down the following details in an understandable format:
- Local emergency contact information
- Directions for family members
- Instructions on how to shut off electrical systems (and when not to)
- Contents of “go” bags and emergency supplies
- Rendezvous points and evacuation paths
- Animal protection strategies
However, the plan is only effective if practiced. You must engage everyone on the property. To ensure the emergency flood plans stay fresh, conduct a walk-through at least once a year. People should know where the plan is, how to execute it and who to contact with questions.
Consider sending a copy of your emergency flood plan to family members and loved ones who do not live nearby so they know what actions your household plans to take.
[Editor’s note: This information really needs detailed before something happens. Last minute preparations just won’t cut it. Spend time now to determine where you’ll evacuate to, how you’ll get there, what you’ll bring, and where you might go if your primary evacuation spot is inaccessible.]
Stockpile Emergency Supplies
As a homesteader, you should have an emergency plan, packed bags and even a vehicle with a raise chassis or a safe house well away from flood areas. Although you may choose to stay at home if it is safe enough per authorities, it never hurts to have the ability to evacuate should the situation change. Regardless of where you go during a flood, supplies should be plentiful beforehand.
Nonperishable food, clean water, first aid supplies, lights and batteries and copies of essential documents are a few necessities to have ready. Stowing everything in waterproof containers makes this plan even better, but any sturdy container that is easy to grab is better than nothing, maybe even better than a standard bug out bag.
Surviving During the Flood
A storm is on the way, and your emergency flood plan is about to begin. These tips may increase your homestead’s chances of navigating the flood with minimal damage.
Remain Calm
Staying levelheaded during a storm is easier said than done. However, you wrote a plan so there would be no need to stress during the event! Probably. 🙂
If panic escalates, focus on clear communications with family members, neighbors and authorities. Convey the circumstances in the most objective way possible, and maintain momentum toward the next steps of the emergency response plan. Keep an eye on weather reports to stay informed, but obsessing will detract from completing essential safety measures.
Turn Off Utilities
Electrical, gas and water mains must shut down during a storm. If these assets continue running, damage, pollution and safety concerns, like gas leaks and electrocutions, are more likely. If it is unsafe to interact with electronics during the flood, wait for professionals to arrive and go to a safe, far-away location.
[Editor’s note: Although it’s usually good to shut off these utilities to prevent damage, there are times when you don’t want to be messing with things, such as tying to turn off your electrical box while standing in floodwaters…that’s a big no-no! When in doubt, leave it alone and wait for somebody more qualified to help.]
Avoid Floodwaters
It may be tempting to cross shallow waters to grab a forgotten phone or photo album. Do not walk, swim or drive through high floodwaters or assume they will remain low enough to traverse on your way back because (1) situations can change within minutes and (2) floodwaters are far stronger than you realize. Even attempting to drive through a few inches of rushing water may wash your vehicle and you away! Similarly, stay away from ponds, lakes, streams and other bodies of water. Your objective should be finding shelter on high ground. Nothing is worth risking lives for.
Signal for Help and Be Patient
Once individuals, animals and supplies are secure, this is the time to make phone calls, send signal flares and blow your whistles. Do everything possible to attract attention and wait for rescue if you’re unable to get to safety.
It is essential to stay put after signaling for help so officials can find those in trouble, as moving away from the spot may cause confusion. If you are stuck inside a building, wave flashlights or something brightly colored from building openings. Avoid moving into attics as you can end up trapped if floodwaters rise high enough.
[Editor’s note: It might be wise to stock life jackets for this very purpose.]
Recovering After the Flood
The storm is over, so it is time to return to normal. Where is the best place to start?
Assess Damage and Prioritize Tasks
Before fixing anything, take time to assess the damage. Take photos and note everything lost in the flood, including livestock, material possessions and buildings. These are critical for passing on to insurance adjusters who can help reduce the emotional and financial impact of the event. Analyze the status of infrastructure, including damage to:
- Structural aspects, like roofing, siding and gutters
- Flood barriers
- Agricultural land and assets
- Animal housing
- Vehicles and equipment
It is crucial to begin undergoing repairs with a professional’s insight. Start with the most important tasks, even if they require more effort. Prioritization is vital for smart, long-term recovery.
[Editor’s note: I also suggest finding reputable, local companies that you can rely on to make repairs before a disaster strikes. This could include roofers, electricians, plumbers, tree repair services, and general contractors. Remember that disasters are times when some fly-by-night companies swoop in and take advantage of people in their time of need. By finding the right people beforehand, and contacting them before others do, you can avoid the horror stories that some people face.]
Clean Up and Sanitize
Water spreads pollutants, mud, debris and more. Everything from oil to sewage could have spread onto the property, leading to mold growth and health risks if left unattended. Review the health of residents and animals on the property, then clean and sanitize with the proper personal protective equipment, like masks and gloves.
Check areas where water easily pools, such as basements and crawl spaces. Here are several telltale signs of water damage in basements and other places:
- Stains
- Warped flooring
- Mustiness and odd smells
- Rot
- Change in humidity
Request the aid of professionals if interacting with dangerous mold, mildew, bacteria or other organisms.
Repair or Replace Essential Systems
Were solar panels, rain barrels, generators or septic tanks damaged in the storm? Start repairing this equipment before resorting to an expensive shopping spree. You may save countless dollars focusing on what is fixable versus feeling the need to buy everything new.
Call electricians, plumbers or mechanics for assistance to make sure everything functions properly before using it again.
[Editor’s note: I would absolutely contact your insurance agent about any damage due to a natural disaster. There may be no reason for you to pay for such expenses and who knows what they may or may not cover. Best to ask!]
Rebuild and Improve Resilience
Surviving a flood likely revealed oversights in your emergency plan. Consider what regions were most affected, what was unprotected and what essentials were not included in your emergency stores.
When fixing structures and your land, consider incorporating more flood-resilient elements and mitigation measures, such as digging a shallow ditch around the animal pen or move some crops into greenhouses on risers.
Seek Community Support and Mental Health Resources
The mental and emotional impact of overcoming a flood should not be understated among the physical and financial side effects. The most significant thing families can do is connect with their community, which also went through the same tragedy.
You may even want to develop town-wide initiatives for widespread mitigation, engage in disaster relief programs or urge governments to provide more support.
Finding community amid disaster is a powerful mental health asset, but other tools are available to cope with and overcome trauma. Practice self-care and focus on well-being following a flood. Mental resilience is as important as the land.
Education is also an invaluable tool for increasing future confidence. Attend local or online courses on flood prevention to learn how to use new tools or better prepare in the future.
Flood Prevention, Planning and Action
Last, some insurance companies may not cover damage due to flooding. At minimum, review your insurance policy or contact your agent to be sure. If necessary, get flood insurance through FEMA.
Homesteaders living in flood-prone areas must begin preparations now to have peace of mind later. This lifestyle is founded on independence and self-sufficiency, but it does not mean you have to suffer severe weather without help. Draft a plan, communicate with neighbors and discover ways to beat the flood with forethought and optimism.
[Note: This was a guest post.]
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