Tips from an Experienced Flood Victim

Everyone is still in shock from the havoc wreaked by Ondoy and Pepeng. †And yet another weather system, Ramil, is again threatening in our eastern horizon.

Photo Credit: washingtonpost.com

Floods, it seems, are now to be expected every time a tropical storm — much more, a typhoon — comes our way. †In spite of Ondoy and Pepeng, however, a lot of us do not have ample experience and the wisdom derived from perennial exposure to flooding to deal with its aftermath.

Luckily, some people have this experience and wisdom. †At least one of them readily shared some useful tips right after Ondoy and it quickly got circulated through viral e-mail. †I am posting these tips here verbatim without the knowledge and expressed permission of the author. †I am sure she wouldn’t mind.

Tips from an Experienced Flood Victim

By Gwendolyn So

Unbeknownst to many, my family and I are experts when it comes to flooding. †By this I mean that for almost 10 years when we lived in a low part of Sto.†Domingo Street in Quezon City , we experienced flooding INSIDE the house at†least once a year and if I remember correctly, sometimes it was twice or†even thrice a year.

The first time it happened we were in shock, but as it happened more and†more it became routine. Here are some nuggets of wisdom that may help:

1. I learned that once the water reaches knee level, the gates canít be†opened anymore because of the water pressure. We thought we still had time†to take the cars out but realized we were trapped. That time our cars†submerged. Make sure you know which area near your residence is considered†higher ground and take your cars there EARLY.

2. Do not despair so much if your cars submerge. They can be fixed. Itís†expensive and takes a long time for the smell to go away, but itís not the†end of the world. After the flood, just let the car dry. We were still able†to use our Hi-Ace and Mitsubishi Lancer despite their having been half†submerged in floodwaters.

3. I learned that heavy stuff, like the ref and shelves, FLOAT. So every†year from then on, we would TIE DOWN heavy appliances like the ref (too†heavy to carry upstairs but in latter years we did lug it all the way up to†the 2nd floor), the big shelves with wedding souvenirs and knick knacks and†my dadís collection of wine. How did we do that? Tie them to the windows.

4. Adrenalin will give you superpowers once you decide youíre not afraid of†a little water and start saving what you can. In my case, it was my†collection of books. Theyíre not rare first editions but regular books. †However, I love my books and Iím not letting them drown! I was able to move†and carry our heavy sofa powered by my bodyís own adrenalin hormone.

5. You can have fun in the midst of disaster so I took out our cameras and†starting taking pictures. It was to make everyone have a good laugh as we†surveyed the chaos around us, the cockroaches and rats swimming by, the†black inky spots of oily stuff occasionally floating around.

6. Apparently, no matter how much youíre enjoying yourself frolicking in†the water and saving what you can, once the cold water reaches your chest†(especially your nipples), you start to shiver and it gets hard to breathe. †This is the time to give up and go upstairs.

7. If your electricity stays on, go to the switch box and turn off all the†electric outlets downstairs but not upstairs.

8. Cleaning after the flood is a pain. Once the waters recede, you are left†with mud everywhere. They stick so you have to get the hose and start using†the walis tingting (how do you say this in English? Itís a broom made of†just think twigs/sticks tied together in a thick bundle). You just keep the†water running and sweep, sweep, sweep like thereís no tomorrow.

9. You must scrub the walls with disinfectant. If you only rinse with†water, it will still smell. We used Lysol. Scrub, scrub, scrub like thereís†no tomorrow.

10. First time water got inside our house, we didnít know we had to use†Lysol and that the drying process is super vital. So, after a few days,†there was this nauseating smell and later we found molds growing†everywhere! We had returned the furniture and appliances to their normal†places and the walls behind grew molds. Yuck!!!

11. We were still able to use our ref that floated in flood waters. Just†clean and clean and dry and dry.

12. Once electricity is available, get out all your fans and dry everything†thoroughly.

13. Yes, paint will peel off and wooden drawers and shelves deform. Salvage†what can be used. Once they dry, itís still ok but sometimes the drawers†get stuck because the wood expanded so you have no choice but to destroy it

because icky water is still trapped inside.

14. Wait at least 2 to 3 days to dry everything. Use fans and hairdryers. †Do not, I repeat, do not be in a hurry to return stuff you saved to their†original places.

15. Have this mindset: Ah, itís good Im now forced to do a general cleaning†of my house. Now I have no choice but to do it.

It is easy to go insane after this kind of calamity, to despair of the†material things we lost (especially the cars), but please be thankful you†got away with your life and that of your family and loved ones. #

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