Hurricane Helene will make landfall this week, bringing significant rainfall, flooding, and potential tornadoes all across Georgia.
The National Weather Service in Atlanta has issued a flood watch for most of the state, urging residents to take immediate precautions to safeguard their homes and families.
In preparation for the storm, the Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA ) advises several steps to protect homes, families, and financial security.
What to do before a flood
The most effective measure is to purchase flood insurance to mitigate potential damage. Here are some other FEMA suggestions:
- Know your flood risk
- Take a household inventory
- Store important documents
Steps to minimize your flood losses
To minimize flood losses, FEMA recommends elevating and anchoring utilities, including electrical panels, propane tanks, sockets, wiring, appliances, and heating systems.
FEMA also suggests:
- Waterproofing basements by installing a water alarm and maintain a working sump pump to protect the basement. In case of a power failure, install a battery-operated backup pump.
- Clear debris from gutters
- Elevate or move furniture to highest level of home.