Floods are a common happening today in Malaysia, especially during this time of the year, as the monsoon season lashes us relentlessly. Kedah, Terengganu and Johor have been some of the main victims of this natural disaster. Most recently, Penang was hit badly by the floods. As we all know, the after effects of this natural disaster bring in dire consequences, such as loss of loved ones, damage to business, and damaged homes.
It’s time we take no chance as well, as it could happen to your home too. So, what should we do before, during and after a situation like this? Here’s what you need to know.
1. Weatherproof your home
This is where it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you landed in a flood-prone place, take your time to weather-proof your house!
Consider installing proper drainage systems at home, so that water flows properly during a surge. That way flood waters have a flow through outside of the house, instead of coming in directly. Also think about getting sealants, or a protective coating for your walls so that they can be kept dry and less susceptible to damage.
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2. Plan ahead!
This is also something to prepare ahead, before the flood lands in your home. Get important documents, such as medical records, or insurance papers and seal them in an airtight bag so that it can be protected from the flood water.
It’s also never a bad thing to find time and sit down with your family members, and discuss an emergency plan with them, such as their individual responsibilities, what to do should you all be separated, and what are the nearby shelters that you can head to.
You should also have a contact person from outside of the area, who is very likely to be away from the floods, so that he or she can help provide shelter and amenities in times of need.
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3. Clear your drains!
Listen up! Remember that prevention starts from home. When we mean home, we mean the inside, and the outside. Often we clean up most of the things we have on our yard, but disregard the drains, seeing that there is nothing major to clear out of.
Frequent cleaning of the drains of sediments and dirt will not only ensure proper flow, but also it gives the extra space for the flood water to fill up, giving you more time to do other protective measures during the situation.
If you happen to have a kitchen that is located outdoors, do not throw your oil down to the drain, as the oil and grease from your cooking could harden, making the drain overflow easier.
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4. Ration up!
During a flood, you will not be able to access amenities, and in really poor conditions, resources are scarce. So it’s always a good idea to have some things to bring along when you’re stuck in a situation like this.
Pack canned food, or food that take a long time to expire with you, along with plenty of bottled water, as there is a high chance the water source has been contaminated. Bring along other essentials like a crank-up torch light, a power bank, a first aid kit, your emergency plan, and an extra set of keys, such as your car keys and house keys.
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5. Protect the interior
This is something to take note before, during and after a flood. Plan your house in a way where important items are elevated, such as your electronics and furniture.
If your house is not affected by the floods yet, but will be, start moving your furniture to a higher level to protect them from damage. Bring in furniture from the outside as well, and move it upstairs. Turn off your electric supply too, while you can. Make sure the fuse box of your house is dry before you proceed.
If you’ve seen viral posts of flood bags for your cars, you might consider investing on that.
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6. Monitor the situation
This is another one of those tips to keep in mind during the whole course of the event. If you do have a portable radio lying around, bring it along to keep track of the news and information that is being relayed, so that you are informed every step of the way. Otherwise, your smartphone can also be a good alternative.
This way, you’ll be able to find out where the nearest shelter is, how soon will help be coming, and when you’ll be able to safely go home.
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7. Ready your documents
When you are allowed to return home, assess the damage of your home. Look for your important files, if you have left them during the flood. If you forgot to keep them in a waterproof container, you can salvage it by putting it in your freezer, and then taking it out to be dried later, once you have settled the rest of your home. You can even your personal lawyer, or any relevant parties to help you assess your documents.
Don’t forget to take pictures of your home, as this can be used as documentation for you to get a claim from your insurance.
*Some policies for homeowners vary, so make sure you’re covered. You can check out this article to see if you have got them.
8. Choose wisely
The key to avoiding all of this is knowing where your flood areas are. Let’s take Penang for example. The areas affected were low-lying areas, or floodplains, where homes are built near rivers or the coast, making them prone to the effect of the natural disaster.
Butterworth was one of the areas affected due to this case, with townships such as Taman Bagan, Taman Cantik a few of the victims. Other places that were badly hit were namely in Bukit Mertajam, Jelutong, Balik Pulau, Georgetown and Relau.
When choosing your next home, you could consider getting one away from floodplains, and opt for a location that is elevated, such as Batu Ferringhi and Tanjung Bungah. You could even invest on high-rise properties, and go for higher floors.
Conclusion
There you have it, some things you should take note of in the event of this natural disaster. You can also check out the reviews that we have on PropSocial to avoid getting yourself a house in a flood-prone area.
Our thoughts and prayers are with those who are affected by the Penang floods. May you come back stronger from this testing times.
PropSocial, Real Neighbourhoods, Real Reviews.
(Written by: Henry Choo, 23rd Nov 2017)
