A deluge of rain can easily cause flash flooding, particularly in areas that are already waterlogged from previous weather-related events. It's highly advisable to heed flood warnings when they are issued, particularly when your area has received a lot of soaking rains in previous days. Flash floods can produce walls of water 30 feet in height in just minutes or hours. 

When flash floods occur, they recede almost as quickly as they occur, leaving affected homeowners with quite a bit of a dangerous mess to clean up. Here are several safety precautions every homeowner needs to know when evacuated for a flash flood, particularly ones who live in areas that are prone to them. 

Do Not Re-Enter Your Home Until the Power Is Shut Off 

If your home still has a significant amount of water inside, especially near the electrical wiring, do not enter your home until after the power has been shut off. Since most electrical panels are located indoors, you'll need to call the power company to have someone come to your home to shut the power off or do so remotely, if they are able to so. 

Have the Home Inspected for Structural Integrity

You'll want to be sure your house is structurally sound before you enter it. Hire a structural engineer or a home inspection service to determine if the flash flood caused damage to the structure and the foundation. If damage is found, you will not be able to enter your home at all until repairs are made or the house is determined to be unsuitable for restoration. 

Determine the Ground Water Table Level

The ground water table level will need to be determined before water is pumped out of the basement of the home. The reason for this is because a high ground water table puts pressure on the foundation walls in a phenomenon known as hydrostatic pressure. If the ground water table is high and water is removed from the basement, the hydrostatic pressure could collapse the foundation walls. 

Evaluate the House for Contamination 

The house will need to be evaluated for contamination if the property is determined to be salvageable and restorable. Issues that can cause contamination in a flooded home include sewage, spillage of heating oil, gas line ruptures, toxic chemicals from cleaning products and paints, and the growth of mold and mildew. Hire a water damage restoration company to inspect and evaluate your house following restoration industry standards of care.