It?s been nearly two years since Irmo experienced major flooding; what meteorologists called a 1,000-year flood.
Sincerely Yours responded quickly to the needs of homeowners and business owners in and around the Irmo area to begin drying and restoring properties damaged by the epic event. As we watched the destruction from Hurricane Harvey unfold in Texas in late August, it was a critical reminder that life can change in an instant. Conditions from Harvey triggered another disturbance in the Atlantic Ocean which, at the time we?re writing this, could also develop into a tropical storm and dump a lot of rain on the East Coast before heading out to sea. And, there is another tropical disturbance near Africa that?s about to start its journey across the Atlantic. All-in-all, it?s shaping up to be quite a busy hurricane season, and despite being slightly inland, Irmo is certainly not immune from flooding.
Here are some things to remember to keep you and your family safe, and be prepared in case of another major weather event here:
Keep bottled water & non-perishable food on hand. During stressful events like a natural disaster, you should drink as much water as possible to help your body stay regulated and handled the situation. That means storing one gallon of water per person per day. Plus, don?t expect to survive on a few granola bars and a few bags of chips. Think about what you would need should you and your family be stranded in your home by floodwaters. FEMA suggests keeping enough nonperishable food for up to three days. And remember, in situations like this, it?s unlikely you would have power ? making things like refrigerators and microwaves off limits.
Have some cash on hand. If there was a widespread flood in the Irmo area or another major disaster, the power would likely be out, right? That would make it quite difficult to use credit or debit cards to make purchases for essentials at stores that manage to be open! Remember the old saying: cash is king. Keep some on hand, in a safe place, for emergencies.
Have a plan. If a tornado hits your town, levels your home, and cell towers are down, how will you reunite with your family if you were at different locations at the time of the disaster? Establishing a common meeting place and plan of action can keep your family safe and prevent a panicked, rushed response. Take some time to have a plan for every possible scenario: winter storm, tornado, flash flood, etc. Also, if you can?t return home after the disaster, where would you plan to go? And ? don?t forget about your furry friends! Be sure wherever you go is pet-friendly, too!
Know some basic first aid. You don?t need to be a nurse or a doctor, but simply knowing CPR and basic first aid could go a long way if first responders are tied up with other problems during a disaster.
One final tip: have the contact information for Sincerely Yours in your phone. When the disaster itself is over, and it?s safe to evaluate your property, Sincerely Yours will also have crews ready to work around the clock to get families back in their homes as soon as possible.
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