Flood Waters Rising

By Shikole Struber

I woke up this morning, not feeling like P. Diddy, but to a text from one of my roommates telling me the basement was flooded. Yes, legit flooded. Water coming through the windows and up past my ankles. Flooded.

First thought: Uh OH

Second Thought: FUCK

Third Thought: Now what?

Part of living on your own, especially when in a house, is dealing with these freak accidents/problems. They happen, all the time, to everyone. They suck, but it will be ok, promise. If you have amazing landlords like we do they be will over immediately to help.

If ever you are in this situation, make sure to unplug everything that the water might get to. Even consider shutting off the electric entirely for that floor. The only thing worse than a flooded basement is a flooded basement full of dead bodies that were electrocuted trying to fix it.

Next you should focus on removing all the stuff from the floor that could be ruined. Bring them to a dry part of the house, but put them on towels or something so you don't flood the upstairs too.

You should then focus on getting the water out. Whether it be unclogging the drain outside or calling service people to pump it out, the water needs to go. This will be hard if it is still coming in, but which is worse: the water getting higher and ruining more things like the walls, or having to continuously empty it to keep it at the level its at?

Finally, after you have removed the water from the basement you need to get it dried out. If there are carpets they likely need to be torn up. Use fans and lots of them. Keep doors and windows open for ventilation. If it doesn't dry out all the way before you put stuff back it will get moldy and smelly.

With all the rain in DC this summer I really hope this is the only time our basement is flooded. Good luck to the rest of you. Stay dry.