Now that the flood has started to recede in most places, I have to point out from personal experience: The time your neighbors need help the most is in the cleanup.
disposing of destroyed property, taking out sheetrock and flooring, powerwashing and disinfecting, pulling down fences full of dead animals, trash and debris, all the things that can be done without a trade skill... those are the things that are the worst in a flood. Often worse than bugging out in the water itself. That is where people really need the most help.
It isnt glamorous, the cameras are gone, the heat and bugs and smell are terrible, the lifting is heavy and the footing slick, everything is covered in slime. There are sharp objects everywhere. There are likely snakes, raccoons, rats, freaked out animals everywhere if they are alive.
This is especially true if it was river water.... rising rain water isnt really that big of a deal, dry it quickly, just chunk the molded or warped stuff, air it out as quick as you can .. in river flood everything is covered in inches of the stickiest, nastiest slime you can imagine.
People will also need wells flushed and tanks replaced, septic systems replaced, gates and openers replaced, plumbing repairs if pier and beam, pool equipment replaced, electrical work, AC work, major structural, etc., and friends cant often help that, but if you have friends that flooded, then the biggest help you can give them is also the least pleasant. Help them clean up.
Also, FYI, flood insurance wont cover car parts, business property (only $2500 total), wells, septic, fences, gates, or any of a number of other things. Not sure why, you cant live without these things in a rural property, but that is the way it is.
disposing of destroyed property, taking out sheetrock and flooring, powerwashing and disinfecting, pulling down fences full of dead animals, trash and debris, all the things that can be done without a trade skill... those are the things that are the worst in a flood. Often worse than bugging out in the water itself. That is where people really need the most help.
It isnt glamorous, the cameras are gone, the heat and bugs and smell are terrible, the lifting is heavy and the footing slick, everything is covered in slime. There are sharp objects everywhere. There are likely snakes, raccoons, rats, freaked out animals everywhere if they are alive.
This is especially true if it was river water.... rising rain water isnt really that big of a deal, dry it quickly, just chunk the molded or warped stuff, air it out as quick as you can .. in river flood everything is covered in inches of the stickiest, nastiest slime you can imagine.
People will also need wells flushed and tanks replaced, septic systems replaced, gates and openers replaced, plumbing repairs if pier and beam, pool equipment replaced, electrical work, AC work, major structural, etc., and friends cant often help that, but if you have friends that flooded, then the biggest help you can give them is also the least pleasant. Help them clean up.
Also, FYI, flood insurance wont cover car parts, business property (only $2500 total), wells, septic, fences, gates, or any of a number of other things. Not sure why, you cant live without these things in a rural property, but that is the way it is.