Floods Creeks, Culverts, Dry Streambeds Or Low- Lying Ground That Appear Harmless in Dry Weather Can Flood

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lying area, near water or downstream from a dam. Even very small streams, gullies, Floods creeks, culverts, dry streambeds or low- lying ground that appear harmless in dry weather can flood. Every state is at risk from this hazard.

What to do before a flood 1. Know the terms used to describe flooding: • Flood Watch—Flooding is possible. Stay tuned to NOAA Weather Radio or commercial radio or television for information. Watches are issued 12 to 36 hours in advance of a possible flooding event. • Flash Flood Watch—Flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to loods are one of the most common higher ground. A flash flood could hazards in the U.S. However, all occur without any warning. Listen floods are not alike. Riverine floods F to NOAA Weather Radio or com- develop slowly, sometimes over a period of mercial radio or television for days. Flash floods can devel- additional information. op quickly, sometimes in just a few minutes, without any Go to higher • Flood Warning—Flooding is visible signs of rain. Flash ground during occurring or will occur soon. If floods often have a danger- floods. Moving advised to evacuate, do so im- ous wall of roaring water water only mediately. that carries a deadly cargo of 6 inches deep • Flash Flood Warning— rocks, mud and other debris can knock you A flash flood is occurring. and can sweep away most Seek higher ground on foot things in its path. Overland off your feet. immediately. flooding occurs outside a de- fined river or stream, such as 2. Ask local officials whether when a levee is breached, but your property is in a flood- still can be destructive. Flooding can also prone or high-risk area. (Remember occur from a dam break producing effects that floods often occur outside high- similar to flash floods. risk areas.) Ask about official flood warning signals and what to do when Flood effects can be very local, impacting a you hear them. Also ask how you can neighborhood or community, or very large, protect your home from flooding. effecting entire river basins and multiple states. 3. Identify dams in your area and determine whether they pose a hazard Be aware of flood hazards no matter where to you. you live, but especially if you live in a low-

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4. Purchase a NOAA Weather Radio • FEMA manages the National Flood with battery backup and a tone-alert Insurance Program, which makes feature that automatically alerts you federally-backed flood insurance when a Watch or Warning is issued available in communities that agree (tone alert not available in some areas). to adopt and enforce floodplain man- Purchase a battery-powered commer- agement ordinances to reduce future cial radio and extra batteries. flood damage.

5. Be prepared to evacuate. Learn your • Flood insurance is available in most community’s flood evacuation routes communities through insurance and where to find high ground. See agents. the “Evacuation” chapter • There is a 30-day waiting for important information. Keep supplies period before flood insurance goes into effect, so don’t delay. 6. Talk to your household on hand for an about flooding. Plan a emergency. • Flood insurance is available place to meet your house- Remember a whether the building is in or out of the identified flood- hold in case you are sepa- battery operated rated from one another prone area. in a disaster and cannot NOAA Weather Radio with a tone- 11. Consider options for return home. Choose an protecting your property. out-of-town contact for alert feature and everyone to call to say extra batteries. • Make a record of your they are okay. In some personal property. Take emergencies, calling out- photographs or videotapes of-state is possible even when local of your belongings. Store these phone lines are down. documents in a safe place. • Keep insurance policies, deeds, 7. Determine how you would care for property records and other important household members who may live papers in a safe place away from your elsewhere but might need your help in home. a flood. Determine any special needs your neighbors might have. • Avoid building in a floodplain unless you elevate and reinforce your home. 8. Prepare to survive on your own for at • Elevate furnace, water heater, least three days. Assemble a disaster and electric panel to higher floors supply kit. Keep a stock of food and or the attic if they are susceptible extra drinking water. See the “Emer- to flooding. gency Planning and Disaster Supplies” chapter for more information. • Install “check valves” in sewer traps to prevent flood water from backing 9. Know how to shut off electricity, gas up into the drains of your home. and water at main switches and valves. • Construct barriers such as levees, Know where gas pilot lights are located berms, and floodwalls to stop flood- and how the heating system works. water from entering the building. 10. Consider purchasing flood insurance. • Seal walls in basements with water- • Flood losses are not covered under proofing compounds to avoid seepage. homeowners’ insurance policies.

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• Call your local building department electrical appliances. Do not touch or emergency management office for electrical equipment if you are wet or more information. standing in water. • Fill the bathtub with water in case water becomes contaminated or What to do during a flood services cut off. Before filling the 1. Be aware of flash flood. If there isany tub, sterilize it with a diluted bleach possibility of a flash flood, move imme- solution. diately to higher ground. Do not wait 5. Do not walk through moving water. for instructions to move. Six inches of moving water can knock 2. Listen to radio or televi- you off your feet. If you must sion stations for local walk in a flooded area, walk information. where the water is not moving. If there is any Use a stick to check the firm- 3. Be aware of streams, possibility of a ness of the ground in front of drainage channels, flash flood, move you. canyons and other areas immediately to known to flood suddenly. 6. Do not drive into flooded higher ground. areas. Six inches of water Flash floods can occur in Do not wait for these areas with or with- will reach the bottom of most out such typical warning instructions to passenger cars causing loss of signs as rain clouds or move. control and possible stalling. heavy rain. A foot of water will float many vehicles. Two feet of water will 4. If local authorities issue a wash away almost all vehicles. flood watch, prepare to evacuate: If floodwaters rise around your car, • Secure your home. If you have time, abandon the car and move to higher tie down or bring outdoor equipment ground, if you can do so safely. You and lawn furniture inside. Move es- and your vehicle can be quickly swept sential items to the upper floors. away as floodwaters rise. • If instructed, turn off utilities at the 7. See the “Evacuation” chapter for im- main switches or valves. Disconnect portant information.

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• Throw away food that has come in What to do after contact with floodwaters. a flood • Listen for news reports to learn 1. Avoid floodwaters. The water may be whether the community’s water sup- contaminated by oil, gasoline or raw ply is safe to drink. sewage. The water may also be elec- • Listen to news reports for infor- trically charged from underground or mation about where to get assis- downed power lines. tance for housing, clothing and food. 2. Avoid moving water. Moving water • Seek necessary medical care at the only six inches deep can sweep you off nearest medical facility. your feet. 8. Service damaged septic tanks, cess- 3. Be aware of areas where floodwaters pools, pits, and leaching systems as have receded. Roads may soon as possible. Damaged have weakened and could sewage systems are serious collapse under the weight There is a health hazards. of a car. 30-day waiting 9. Contact your insurance 4. Stay away from downed period before agent. If your policy covers power lines and report flood insurance your situation, an adjuster them to the power com- goes into will be assigned to visit your home. To prepare: pany. effect, so • Take photos of your be- 5. Stay away from des- don’t delay. longings and your home or ignated disaster areas videotape them. unless authorities ask for volunteers. • Separate damaged and undamaged belongings. 6. Return home only when authorities • Locate your financial indicate it is safe. Stay out of build- records. ings if surrounded by floodwaters. Use extreme caution when entering build- • Keep detailed records of ings. There may be hidden damage, cleanup costs. particularly in foundations. 10. If your residence has been flooded 7. Consider your family’s health and obtain a copy of “Repairing Your safety needs: Flooded Home” from the local Ameri- can Red Cross chapter. • Wash hands frequently with soap and clean water if you come in 11. See the “Recovering From Disaster” contact with floodwaters. chapter for more information.

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