Five ways to manage crisis caused by flooding

When houses are flooded, the havoc wreaked may look beyond redemption and leave the victims anxious, confused and frightened. These feelings are perfectly natural, but there is a need to look for ways to manage the ensuing effects.

Many communities across the country have affected by flooding in recent months, with thousands of residents displaced and many killed. In Jigawa State for instance, at least 50 people recently died and many displaced after torrential rains caused flooding in the state.

Kebbi, Borno, Sokoto, Bayelsa risk flooding in coming days – NiMet

There will be more flooding in next two months – NiMeT DG

Here are five temporary measures to take so as to cope with the effects of flooding:

Find a safe place

If the flood damages or destroys your home, don’t spend any time further inside the house, as there could be structural damage or other issues. Find a safe shelter like schools and town halls.

Do not enter your home until it is safe to do so.

Your home could be unsafe for reasons you may not know. Cracks in the foundation, gas leaks, broken power lines, and leaking chemicals could all contribute to an unsafe location. Do not enter until it is very safe to do so.

Seek medical help

If you were injured during the flood, locate any nearest health centre to get immediate medical help. Even minor wounds can be dangerous if left untreated.

Reach out to family and friends

Talking to someone you trust about your feelings without fear of judgment may offer some relief. Family and friends can be a great resource for support. Your family and friends may have also survived the disaster and understand the emotions you are experiencing.

It’s also a good idea to speak with friends who were not involved, because they can be objective and provide additional support.

Get a financial adviser

The loss of a home to a disaster like flooding can be an overwhelming financial burden for one to bear alone. Financial advisers don’t immediately come to mind as a resource after a disaster, but they should be among the first people you call when developing a strategy to rebuild your life.

Seeking help from a financial adviser can ease the stress and point you in the direction of other helpful resources or programmes tailored to your situation.