May 10
17
Photo from car-crashes.org
Flooding is one of the most common natural disasters. It can affect your home, entire neighborhoods or even an entire region. Flooding can build slowly as steady rains cause creeks and rivers to swell out of their banks, or quickly as a wall of water brought about by torrential rain, a breach of a dam or levee, etc.. giving little or no time to prepare.
Here are some things you can do to protect your family, your property and yourself from flooding:
ADVANCED PLANNING
Proactive planning is always the best way to go. Consider the following now so that you will be more prepared later.
- Plan evacuation routes that take you to high ground. Know your area, particularly low-lying roads, bridges, etc that could pose a problem if the need arises to leave your home.
- Make copies of all vital records and an inventory of your possessions/valuables. Store in a safe place such as a safe-deposit box or at a relative/friend’s home away from your home. It’s a good idea to also do the same with treasured photos. Consider making a digital copy to store in the event that your photos are damaged by water.
- Have the usual emergency supplies- flashlights, extra batteries and a radio that receives NOAA weather alerts. Crank-powered radios can be a great asset since you don’t have to worry about having dead batteries when the radio is needed most.
- Store water. Flooding can contaminate tap water, so having an ample supply of clean water available is key.
- Be sure you know how to turn off electrical service, gas and water valves in your home. Local authorities will usually notify residents if shut-off is necessary in an emergency, or you may to choose to do so proactively if you plan to evacuate your home.
- Elevate items that are vulnerable to damage, such as boxes, appliances etc that are stored in a basement or ground-level floors that may be subjected to flood.
IF A FLOOD WATCH IS ISSUED
Flash flood WATCH means that flooding is possible in your area. Flash Flood WARNING means that flooding is actually occurring or is imminent. In the event of a flash flood WATCH, take these steps:
- Stay tuned to your NOAA weather station or a local radio or television station for emergency updates.
- Make sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas.
- Place your evacuation kits in your car or by the front door. Evacuation kits include items like extra clothing, toiletries, prescription meds, food items, water- items to help you get by outside of your home.
- Move essential or irreplaceable items to an upper floor. Secure outdoor items in storage or a high place to avoid damage or loss.
- When in doubt, evacuate.. You can always return home, but you may only have a narrow window of time to get out, especially if you live in an area with low-water crossings or are prone to flooding.
IF FLOODING OCCURS
If you find yourself caught in a flood:
- Wear sturdy boots, preferable high rubber boots.
- Watch carefully for downed electrical wires. Do not approach them and do not approach any water into which a downed line has fallen.
- NEVER walk through moving water. Even 6 inches of moving water can knock you down. Water can be deceiving, looking as if it is moving slowly, but lower currents can be moving quite fast.. plus water depth is unpredictable. If you MUST walk through standing water, probe the area in front of you with a long stick or broom handle for hazards such as sink holes or debris.
- NEVER drive into a flooded area. it doesn’t take much water (less than 1 foot) to float and wash a car from a road. Plus, you cannot be sure of what is below the surface of the water. Moving water can erode your path (even asphalt roads) leaving a hole that will put your car in unexpected depths of water. Cars can easily stall when crossing high water as wiring becomes wet.
AFTERWARD
- Do not drink from your municipal water supply or from well water from a flooded area until you know it is safe.
- Avoid standing water. There is a possibility of contamination from raw sewage.
- Stay out of structures that have been surrounded by flood waters. The foundation could be damaged.
- Do not return home until authorities have declared it safe to do so.
- Clean and disinfect everything that got wet from the flood waters. a 10-to-1 water/bleach solution can be sprayed on colorfast, solid surfaces. Wash clothing and other fabrics in hot water with a strong detergent. Dry at the highest temperature possible.
The key to safety during flood season is being alert to changing weather conditions and pro-active planning.
Sign up for our FREE Newsletter and receive access to our SUBSCRIBERS section.