My heart ached when I came across an Instagram account just a few days ago. The user is a guy who posts about current natural disasters happening. My question? What made Mother Nature so angry? But maybe I don’t even have to ask that question. Who else, if not us humans, with all our ways that are harming Mother Earth?
But being serious, the only natural disaster I have ever experienced is flooding—and not even the kind happening in Mokwa, Nigeria, right now. A flood so intense it has killed up to 300 people and left over 400 still missing. I always send my prayers to those experiencing these extreme disasters. It isn’t just about the loss of life either—people are losing their properties and the little they have to these disasters.
The last flood I experienced was due to nonstop, intense rainfall for days. Although the flooding and our parlor filling up with water seemed so sudden, we actually saw it coming from the other houses on lower land, which already had water gushing through their windows. Once the water started seeping through the door, we moved everything in the parlor to higher and safer spots.
To be honest, I don’t know how to prepare for or survive any natural disaster because, compared to many I have seen, I have never truly been a victim. So I don’t have survival tips from personal experience. But with the little I know about floods, I can still share some small tips:
- The number one thing to do is stay informed—by any means possible—so you know what is happening.
- Don’t try walking in floodwater, especially when it is deep. Even shallow water I have walked in has tried knocking me off my feet.
- Turn off electricity and gas, as these can cause devastating accidents.
- Waterproofs come in handy to protect your valuables.
- Know your surroundings—understand evacuation routes and move to higher ground immediately if necessary.
- Lastly, have an emergency kit that contains drinking water and non-perishable food.
In my country one major thing we need to prevent and stop flooding is to upgrade our water drainage systems and landscaping.