What’s in Flood Water?

To put it simply, overland flood water is dangerous. When it comes to water damage, there are three categories to know. These categories are based on the source of the water and the potential for harm that it carries.

1. Category 1: This is water that has come from a source such as the clean water supply in a home. If addressed within 24-48 hours, most Category 1 water poses a low health risk. However, even clean water can begin to cause mould in as little as 48 hours.
2. Category 2: This category is known as “gray water.” This water comes from sources that could have mild to moderate contamination, including fire suppression systems, treated cooling water lines, and discharge from equipment. Caution should be exercised around Category 2 water. Materials exposed to Category 2 water may not be salvageable.
3. Category 3: “Black water” – highly contaminated, dangerous water that carries a significant risk of disease, infection, and irreparable damage. Sources of black water include sewers, drain backups, and water that has overflowed from rivers, lakes, or the sea. Extreme caution should be exercised around Category 3 water. Most porous materials exposed to Category 3 damage will likely need to be replaced.

All overland flood water is considered Category 3 water, due to the likelihood that it has picked up chemical contaminants, bacteria, parasites, viruses, and other toxic materials.

Why Floods Matter for Businesses

Overland floods can cause significant damage, disruption, and expense for any commercial property. Understanding the potential for these risks can help a property owner prepare their building and make for a faster, more affordable recovery.

Water Damage

The primary concern in a flood situation is the potential for water damage to building materials, furniture, important documents, and electronics. As stated above, all overland flood water is considered Category 3 water. This means that anything exposed to flood water is potentially unsalvageable. Water damage to floors, carpets, and drywall can be difficult and costly to repair.

Utility Disruptions

In the aftermath of a flood, many utilities that are ordinarily taken for granted can be disrupted. These disruptions could be local or for the whole area. First, electrical service in the area may be unavailable due to damage to the power grid, or it may need to be temporarily shut off locally to avoid the risk of electric shock. The water supply may also be disrupted due to contamination or damage to pumping and treatment facilities.

Downtime

One of the biggest concerns for a business in a flood scenario is the potential for extended downtime. Remediation of serious water damage can require closure of some areas or even entire buildings, meaning an inability to conduct business and a loss of revenue. When combined with the potential costs of repairs, this can represent a significant impact to the bottom line of a business.

Preparing for Floods

Floods can be sudden and unpredictable. That’s why it is important for a property owner to be prepared to respond quickly should a flood occur. In fact, insurance claims may be denied if it can be demonstrated that a property owner failed to mitigate the potential damage by taking preventative actions. In the case of flash flooding, there may be no warning ahead of the flood event. For areal flooding events, some steps can help limit potential water damage.

Make a Plan

Every business should have an emergency response plan in place. This plan can help prepare staff to respond to a variety of emergency situations. A trusted restoration services partner can help to create such a plan. Essential components of a business emergency response plan include:

• Primary points of contact for each property
• Contact information for relevant utilities and vendors
• Insurance policy information and point of contact
• Contact information for a trusted restoration services partner like First Onsite
• A contact list for all building employees to be alerted in case of dangerous conditions
• Locations and instructions for utility shut-offs (water shut-off valves and electrical breakers) within the building
• Locations and instructions for sump pumps and other important mitigation equipment
• Instructions for evacuating the building if necessary, along with evacuation routes

Conduct Regular Inspections

Identify and address potential areas of risk before an emergency arises. One of the most important tasks is to remedy deferred maintenance items like window, roof, HVAC, and plumbing repairs. While these tasks may require some time and investment on the front end, they can potentially save millions when considering the cost of water damage and mould remediation. Among other things, regular building inspections should include:

• Roof inspection – How old is the roof? Are there missing shingles? Are there flat spots? Are roof drains clear of debris and functioning correctly? Are the gutters clear and in good condition?
• Building envelope – Are the building’s windows properly glazed and sealed? Are doors sealed and weatherproofed? Are gaps around HVAC units and vents properly sealed?
• Exterior grading and landscaping – Is the ground around the building graded away from the walls and foundation? Are there low spots in the sidewalk, parking lot, or other paved areas that collect water when it rains?
• Exterior drainage – Are the gutter downspouts properly directing water away from the building? Are storm drains, sewers, and catch basins clear of debris?
• Flood mitigation systems – Are the building’s sump pumps working? If the building has flood gates, are they in good working order?

Create an Emergency Kit

Each building should have an emergency kit. According to GetPrepared.ca, an emergency kit should contain, at minimum:

• Large containers of clean water
• Several days worth of non-perishable food
• A first aid kit
• A battery powered radio

Find a Trusted Recovery Partner

An experienced recovery partner like First Onsite can help a business prepare their emergency response plan, address areas of risk and concern before a loss occurs, and provide end-to-end assistance with handling a loss event. Proactively addressing potential issues can help limit the amount of damage and expense caused by a flood event. First Onsite offers a Priority Response Emergency Plan (PREP), which not only provides a business with an emergency response plan (ERP) ahead of time, but also designates the business for priority service in the case of an area-wide event or loss.

Final Preparations

If an overland flood is imminent, additional steps can be taken to help protect the property. These include

• Filling and stacking sandbags to hold back flood water
• Putting flood barriers in place
• Boarding up doors and windows
• Moving electronics, important documents, and other valuable items to higher floors

After the Flood

If an overland flood occurs, it is vital for a business to respond quickly in order to keep people safe, mitigate water damage, and begin the recovery process. Even clean water can begin producing mould in as little as 48 hours, and Category 3 overland flood water presents an even more significant health and safety risk.

Safety First

The first thing that should be done after a flood event is ensuring the safety of all employees, tenants, and other individuals who may be in and around the building. Employees should be contacted and told to avoid the area until it can be made safe. Electrical breakers should be safely turned off before entering any flooded area to avoid electrical shock. If the breakers are inaccessible due to flood water, it is best to call the electric company or another professional. Wet areas may also be slippery – especially if the weather is cold and there is potential for flood water to have frozen. Category 3 flood waters are likely to contain a variety of harmful contaminants, so all individuals should wear proper PPE to protect from infection and disease.

Call a Recovery Partner

For businesses that have not partnered with a recovery provider like First Onsite in advance, time is of the essence in finding an experienced, trustworthy company to provide assistance with navigating the mitigation, recovery, and insurance claims processes. In the event of an area-wide event or loss, these service providers will be in high demand, and finding a partner that can provide reliable, trustworthy end-to-end recovery solutions can be difficult.

Contact the Insurance Company

Contacting the insurance company as soon as possible after a loss is key. Insurance policy holders are obligated to notify their insurance company of a loss, and often are required to provide notification within a specific timeframe. One common misconception with this process is that notifying the insurance company necessarily means filing a claim (and facing increased deductibles). However, notifying the insurance company simply puts them on notice so that they can do their due diligence in responding to the loss, and does not necessarily mean filing a claim.

Document Everything

As part of the insurance process, it is important to document as much as possible with photos and video. This documentation will help to establish the details of the loss, and provide the insurance company with as much information as possible for processing any claims made. A good rule to follow for this process is to err on the side of too much documentation.

Remove “Free Water”

The first step in mitigating damage after a flood is removing “free” or standing water. This can be accomplished by a variety of means. For a small volume, direct standing water toward drains with a mop or squeegee may be sufficient. For moderate volumes, a wet/dry shop vacuum can be useful. Larger volumes may necessitate the use of a pump system. For removing large amounts of standing water, it is advisable to contact a professional.

Dry the Site

The most important thing after a flood is to thoroughly dry all affected materials. As we’ve learned, mould can begin to form after as little as 48 hours. The most important elements of drying an affected site are continuous movement of air and maintaining a low moisture level. Provided they are safe to operate air conditioning systems can provide dehumidification and keep air moving through the space to facilitate drying.

Begin Cleanup & Repair

Because flood water is Category 3 water, many of the materials exposed will need to be removed and replaced. These materials could include flooring, carpeting, furniture, documents, and building materials. Damaged drywall will require what is known as a “flood cut” – the removal of the lowest 2-4 feet of material to allow for the removal of wet insulation, drying of the wall cavity, and replacement of contaminated materials.

Don’t Do It Alone

Overland floods can cause significant damage and contribute to potential long-term health and safety risks. Rather than attempt to navigate the recovery process alone, property owners should find a trusted recovery services provider like First Onsite, who can provide end-to-end solutions, simplify the process, and speed up the process of getting back to “business as usual.”

References
GetPrepared.ca – Basic Emergency Kit: https://www.getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/kts/bsc-kt-en.aspx
Canada.ca – What is Overland Flooding?: https://www.canada.ca/en/campaign/flood-ready/overland-flooding.html
Insurance Bureau of Canada – Severe Weather Caused $2.4 Billion in Insured Damage in 2020: http://www.ibc.ca/on/resources/media-centre/media-releases/severe-weather-caused-$2-4-billion-in-insured-damage-in-2020
Oxford English Dictionary – “flood plain”: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/flood-plain