Aside from year-end holiday and Christmas, in Malaysia particularly, from mid-November till December is infamous for its monsoon season – yes the rain is pouring more often than ever at particular regions in our country.
For Malaysians living at East Coast especially, this time of the year could be a hard time. Throughout monsoon season, it is not only windy and rainy but it could lead to much serious and catastrophic situation such as flood.
Before it happens, what can you prepare to face it?
What Can You Prepare When Facing A Flood?
#1. Inform the authority on essential information
First and foremost, especially if your area is risky, you should inform the authority all the necessary information about your place and family. For example, let them know beforehand the numbers of your family members and if you have any disabled family members.
Such information if provided early can help the authority to properly prepare in giving their best for you. And by letting them know your detailed whereabout too can help in saving a life.
Let say, your area is prone to landslide. If the rain is too heavy even if it’s not flooding yet, you might have to move to the temporary settlement for your safety.
#2. Keep track of the water level and flood stage
To be prepared for flood, you have to be clear about your situation first. It is important for you to be aware of the water level in your area as well as the flood stage. From there, you can analyze which one is your priority and what should be your next action.
Different year could turn out differently. It could be a minor, moderate or major flood. In certain stage, some action just like stocking up your necessities is unnecessary while some action like elevating your furniture is essential.
Especially if your area is risky, it is very important to always check on the water level and flood stage. You can also prepare yourselves by knowing about water safety from this article.
#3. Stock up enough food, drinking water and essential necessities
Let say the flood stage is minor or moderate. After looking at all the options available, you decided to stay at your house on the second floor. Soon after informing the authority, you must check on all the necessities needed.
Make sure you have enough food and drinking water for all of your family members. Also, do remember to stock up on essential necessities for your comfort and safety such as candle, blanket, torchlight, self-defence tools, safety/emergency kit, etc.
During a flood, it’s hard to get your supply. So it is always better to be prepared beforehand with enough stock for a suitable period.
#4. Minimise the damages
Once your area is flooded, there will be damages even just a little. For example, the wall will be stained, the furniture will be swelled up and the electrical appliances will get damaged.
So when a flood is approaching your area, it is important to elevate, rearrange and relocate your stuff either you choose to stay at home or at the temporary settlement.
One of the most important things that you should do is to place your vehicles somewhere safe. You don’t want your car to submerge in the flood, don’t you? The engine might get damaged.
While for the other stuff, you have to build the platforms. One of the most common ways is by using bricks.
Elevate your pots, refrigerator, washing machine, dryer, cabinet, rack, and others by building a raised platform with few bricks. Make sure the height is higher than the water level and if it increases, you do have enough bricks to add on to it.
If you have any furniture that is water-resistant, you can use that as the platform. Let say your dining table is made up of stainless steel, you can place your sofa above it provided that it is strong enough to bear its weight.
In such a situation, you have to be creative and get cooperation from others to do your best in minimising the post-flood damages.
#5. Always be ready and prepared to move
Sometimes, things can turn out to be totally unexpectable. Looking at the water level, you think the flood stage is minor but within a few days, it rises so quickly. Also, there’s nothing much you can do when the authority came and suggest for relocation.
That is why during a flood, it is always best to be prepared for the worse. Actually, even if the flood stage is minor, it is better if you do not stay at your house and move somewhere safe.
This is because it can bring more dangers to you especially if you have small kids. Take, for example, the encounter with dangerous animals. When water is flooding the area, all places are submerged.
Animals will have nowhere to go and instead, search out for any dry places for shelter, and your house could be the one!
Dealing with snakes, for example, is no joke. So it is always better to move away for a while. With that in mind, you should be ready with the necessary essentials and make sure your house is well secured before you leave.
Especially at the East Coast, a flood is considered normal as it happens almost every year. However, it is not a pleasant experience.
Being well prepared when the season is coming is the best move one can make to minimise the damages it can bring.