Rivers burst their banks. And lakes slowly spread across the surrounding meadows. Heavy precipitation and prolonged rainfall lead to flooding time and again. Find out how you can prepare with preventive measures and what to do in an emergency.
Avoid misfortune by taking preventive measures
Be prepared at all times for an emergency caused by flooding. Even before flooding occurs, you can take preventive measures to ensure that nothing happens to you and your loved ones in an emergency – and to limit property damage.
Protect your house and garden
Make sure that your house is protected against flooding caused by heavy rain. Repair any defects such as leaking doors and windows in good time. Clean drains and gutters regularly.
Proper storage in cellars and underground car parks
Make sure your belongings are stored up high on a shelf in your cellar or underground car park. Valuables or fragile items should not be stored in the cellar. This will prevent possible damage due to water penetration.
Emergency kit
Always keep an emergency kit in waterproof boxes. This kit should include a torch, candles, medicine, food and drinking water. Do not keep these emergency boxes in the cellar. You should never enter the cellar in the event of a flood.
The right way to act during a flood
Make sure to keep calm and get yourself and your loved ones to safety. Help neighbours and friends. Remember: no material object in this world is worth as much as a human life. Turn off the electricity on the ground floor and in the basement. Do not enter the cellar or underground car park if there is an acute risk of flooding. Do not drive your car over flooded roads and do not enter riverbank areas. Follow the instructions given by the authorities, listen to the radio regularly or obtain information online.
Limiting damage after a flood
After flooding, drinking water may be contaminated. Therefore, boil your drinking water and obtain information from the authorities on the correct procedure. Start with the work of drying as soon as possible and have your electrical installations checked by a specialist after the flood.
Generali tip: If damage has occurred despite all precautionary measures, report it immediately to your motor, household or building insurance company and ask them to explain how to proceed. Depending on the extent of the damage, an assessment by a claims inspector may take place. Be sure to take photographs of the damage before cleaning up and create a list of the damaged items.
