Flash Flood PREPAREDNESS

Flash Flood PREPAREDNESS Flash floods occur within a few minutes or Before a flood occurs. hours of excessive rainfall, a dam or levee failure or a sudden release of water held by an Find out if you live in a flood prone area. ice jam. Flash floods can roll boulders, tear out You can check with your local building trees, destroy buildings and bridges. Flash department to see the flood maps for your floods can also trigger catastrophic mudslides. municipality. Flash floods are the #1 weather related killer If you are in a flood zone - purchase in the United States. sufficient flood insurance. Flood losses are not covered under normal National Weather Service . homeowner’s insurance. Staying current with forecasts from the Learn how your community would alert you National Weather Service can be an important if a flood was occurring or predicted. part of flood preparedness. Individuals can purchase a NOAA weather radio to directly Pre-assemble flood-fighting supplies like hear the forecasts, advisories, watches and/or plastic sheeting, lumber, sandbags. warnings. Some NOAA weather radios can alarm when there is a serious/dangerous Have check valves installed in building weather condition. These radios are available sewer traps to prevent flood waters from at many stores. backing up in sewer drains. The following terms may be used by the As a last resort have large corks or National Weather service: stoppers to plug showers, tubs or basins from water rising up through the pipes. A Flash Flood or Flood Watch means that flash flooding or flooding is possible within the Maintain a disaster supply kit at home. A designated watch area. kit will have (at minimum): A Flash Flood or Flood Warning means that • First aid supplies flash flooding or flooding has been reported or • Flashlight with extra batteries is imminent - take necessary steps at once. • Non-perishable food • Drinking water An Urban and Small Stream Advisory means • Blanket(s) or sleeping bag(s) that flooding of small streams, streets and low- • Rain gear or a change of clothing lying areas (such as railroad underpasses and urban storms drains) is occurring. A Flash Flood or Flood Statement is follow-up information regarding a flash flood/flood event. During the flood . After the flood . Monitor commercial radio, television, NOAA • When entering buildings after a flood use Weather radio or your Emergency Alerting extreme caution Station for information - Wear sturdy shoes and use battery- Be prepared to evacuate to higher ground if powered lanterns or flashlights when ordered to do so by authorities examining buildings Adhere to any emergency orders of - Examine walls, floors, doors and authorities windows to make sure that the building is not in danger of collapse Bring possessions inside the house or secure them - Watch out for animals, like snakes, that may have come into your home Do not touch any electrical appliances that with flood waters are wet or standing in water - Take pictures of the damage - both of Avoid walking or driving through flood the house and its contents for waters insurance claims. • Look for fire hazards Flood dangers do not end when the water - Broken or leaking gas lines begins to recede. Listen to a radio or television and do not return home until - Flooded electrical circuits authorities indicate it is safe to do so. - Submerged furnaces or electrical Remember to help your neighbors who may appliances require special assistance - infants, elderly people and people with disabilities. - Flammable or explosive materials coming from upstream After the flood . - Report potential emergencies to authorities. • If food or medicine has come in contact with flood waters, throw it out. • It’s best to have a professional pump out a basement - to avoid further structural • Stay out of buildings if flood waters remain damage. FEMA recommends pumping out around the building about one-third of the water per day. Bergen County Office of Emergency Management 201-634-3100 or www.bcoem.org.

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