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To protect yourself and your property from too big damage caused by the flood, it is worth bearing in mind a number of recommendations

The largest insurance indemnity, which the JSIC “Seesam Latvia" has so far paid out for the damage caused by the flood risk to an insured object, amounted to EUR 120 000 (more than 84 000 lats). The insurance indemnity recipient stated that this amount had been of tremendous help after the flood-related damages, but added that he would have done everything possible to be able to protect their property from flooding.

Of course, it is not always possible to cope with the natural forces, but anyone can prepare to the expected flooding as far as possible, in order to be ready to save themselves and their property in a situation where the water fills the mouth in the truest sense of the word.

The spring of 2010 when the flood caused a relatively greater loss to Latvian households if compared with previous years, now may be considered a “dress rehearsal” for the flooding that is expected this year. Since the quantity of snow this winter was even bigger than in 2010, it is expected that this spring the flood would affect also households that previously had not suffered any damage from this risk. This means that people who have no previous experience and who do not know what should be done in such situations will have to rescue their properties from the spring waters.

Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Agency has informed that this spring the most serious flood threat is formed in the Daugava River, where the highest flood levels may exceed the annual average level by about one to two meters. In particular, wide areas may be flooded in Salas, Krustpils and PļaviņasMunicipalities and in the PļaviņasTown, because the current situation in these areas is approximately the same as it was last spring when the ice could not go out of the AivieksteRiver and pass into the Pļaviņas reservoir. Once the mass of ice and water will break through into the reservoir, the water level in it will rise sharply.

Over the past weekend the water level in the upper course of the DaugavaRiver and at Jēkabpils already increased by more than 10 centimeters. The water level has slightly risen in Rēzekne and in the upper course of the AivieksteRiver.

Despite the fact that in other parts of Latvia the water level in rivers has even dropped during the last few days, an intense spring flood runoff is expected in the nearest future in Vidzeme and Latgale, where mainly the river floodplains will be flooded. Ice drift in Vidzeme and Latgale rivers might begin in the first decade of April, but the flood peak is expected at the end of the second decade of April.

In Zemgale and Kurzeme rivers the spring flood will be close to the annual average level. Ice drift in the rivers of this region has already begun. The flood peak in the Mēmele, Misa and Iecava rivers might be expected on April 5 – 9 but in the Lielupe and Mūsa rivers – in the middle of April.

It should be taken into account that the maximum level of spring floods could also be affected by precipitation.

To protect yourself and your property from too big damage caused by the flood, it is worth bearing in mind a number of recommendations.

• If your home is located in a flood risk area, you must always take into consideration that you may need assistance of the rescue services. However, in situations where flooding affects large areas and many households, the rescue service can not always quickly arrive at all locations where it would be appropriate. Therefore, you should continuously monitor the weather conditions and forecasts, as well as follow information provided by mass media about the water level in the nearest water bodies, which may affect the flood situation in the particular locality, to be able to act independently if necessary.

• If there is a real flood hazard, the property from the basements and first floors should be moved to upper floors or attic. Be sure to take care of electrical safety, by timely assessing possibility to disable the electrical equipment or electrical supply to avoid short-circuiting and life-threatening situations in the case of flooding.

• If you must leave the house due to the flood, before leaving the house, definitely make sure that all the windows are closed and the doors are locked to protect the property against pillaging as much as possible.

• When leaving the house, switch off gas supply, as well as domestic heating appliances and equipment.

• If there is a probability that during the flood period you will need to leave the house, you should prepare, preferably in advance, your personal documents (passports, etc.), money, valuables, as well as food and drinking water, medicines, clothing, shoes and other essentials.

• Flood waters threaten not only buildings but also vehicles. Taking measures to protect real estate and chattels, do not forget about the safety of vehicles - it is recommended to place vehicles in areas which could not be flooded, as water might cause an irreversibly damage, first of all, to the vehicle’s electrical system. Before the flood it is recommended to check technical condition of other vehicles (e.g., boats) intended for evacuation, so that in the case of the danger you can use them.

• If you do not want to leave your house even if endangered by flood, it is desirable to provide additional food and drinking water supplies. Also be prepared for a longer power supply interruption. Mobile phones should be fully charged, to ensure communication possibilities in case of danger. It is desirable to get to know in good time the local civil defence commission contact telephones to be able to communicate and consult in the case of necessity. In the case of flood it may be useful to have a pump to pump out the water, for example, from the basement to prevent further flooding of the house and damage to household items.

• In the case of flood special assistance may be needed to older people and children, as well as people with special needs and sick persons, so you should consider in advance where to find them a safe shelter.

• During evacuation of animals from flooded homes do not forget the need to feed them..

If you have any additional questions, consultation on property insurance may be obtained by calling the „Seesam Latvia” hotline, phone number 67 06 10 00.