Flash Floods-2

P U B L I C I N F O R M A T I O N FLOODS AND FLASH FLOODS Mitigation pays. It includes any activities that prevent a disaster, reduce the chance of a disaster happening, or lessen the damaging effects of unavoidable emergencies. Investing in mitigation steps now such as constructing barriers (levees) and purchasing flood insurance will help reduce the amount of structural damage to your home and financial loss from building and crop damage should a flood or flash flood occur. BEFORE–––––––– This plan should include Teach all family members how and information on the safest routes to when to turn off gas, electricity, shelters. Individuals living in flash and water. Find out if you live in a flood areas should have several floodprone area from your alternate routes. Teach children how and when to local emergency management call 9-1-1, police, or the fire office or Red Cross chapter. Have disaster supplies on department, and which radio Ask whether your property is hand: station to tune to for emergency above or below the flood stage • Flashlights and extra batteries information. water level and learn about the • Portable, battery-operated history of flooding for your region. Learn about the National radio and extra batteries Flood Insurance Program. Learn flood warning signs and • First aid kit and manual Ask your insurance agent about your community alert signals. • Non-perishable food and water flood insurance. Homeowners Request information on preparing • Manual can opener policies do not cover flood for floods and flash floods. damage. • Essential medicines If you live in a frequently • Cash and credit cards flooded area, stockpile • Sturdy shoes emergency building materials. DURING–––––––– These include plywood, plastic Develop an emergency During a flood watch: sheeting, lumber, nails, hammer communication plan. • Listen to a battery-operated and saw, pry bar, shovels, and In case family members are NOAA weather radio for the sandbags. separated from one another during latest storm information. floods or flash floods (a real • Fill bathtub, sinks, and jugs Have check valves installed in possibility during the day when with clean water in case water building sewer traps to adults are at work and children are becomes contaminated. prevent flood waters from at school), have a plan for getting • Bring outdoor belongings, backing up in sewer drains. back together. such as patio furniture, As a last resort, use large corks or indoors. Ask an out-of-state relative or stoppers to plug showers, tubs, or • Move valuable household friend to serve as the “family basins. possessions to upper floors contact.” After a disaster, it’s often or to safe ground if time easier to call long distance. Make Plan and practice an permits. sure everyone in the family knows evacuation route. • If you are instructed to by the name, address, and phone local authorities, turn off all Contact the local emergency number of the contact person. utilities at the main power management office or local switch and close the main gas American Red Cross chapter for a Make sure that all family valve. copy of the community flood • Be prepared to evacuate. evacuation plan. members know how to respond during and after a flood or flash flood. The United States supports international efforts to raise awareness that natural risks can be managed: Federal Emergency Management Agency, American Red Cross, National Weather Service, U. S. Geological Survey, Department of Energy, Corporation for National Service, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Small Business Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of Transportation, Department of Education, and the National Interagency Fire Center. DURING–––––––– AFTER––––––––– Throw away food — including canned goods — that has During a flood: Flood dangers do not end when come in contact with flood If indoors: the water begins to recede. waters. Listen to a radio or television • Turn on a battery-operated Pump out flooded basements and don’t return home until radio or television to get the gradually (about one-third of latest weather and emergency authorities indicate it is safe to the water per day) to avoid information. do so. • Get your preassembled structural damage. emergency supplies ready. Remember to help your • If told to leave, do so neighbors who may require Service damaged septic tanks, immediately. special assis-tance — infants, cesspools, pits, and leaching elderly people, and people with systems as soon as possible. If outdoors: disabilities. Damaged sewage systems are • Climb to high ground and stay health hazards. there. Inspect foundations for cracks or • Avoid walking through any other damage. Inspecting Utilities in floodwaters. If it is moving a Damaged Home swiftly, water six inches deep Stay out of building if flood can sweep you off your feet. waters remain around the building. Check for gas leaks — If you smell gas or hear a If in a car: When entering buildings, use blowing or hissing noise, open a • If you come to a flooded area, window and quickly leave the extreme caution: turn around and go another building. Turn off the gas at the • Wear sturdy shoes and use way. outside main valve if you can battery-powered lanterns or • If your car stalls, abandon it and call the gas company from a flashlights when examining immediately and climb to neighbor’s home. If you turn off buildings. higher ground. Many deaths the gas for any reason, it must • Examine walls, floor, doors, have resulted from attempts to be turned back on by a and windows to make sure that dribe through high water or professional. move stalled vehicles. the building is not in danger of collapsing. Look for electrical system • Watch out for animals, During an evacuation: damage— If you see sparks or • If advised to evacuate, do so especially poisonous snakes, that may have come into your broken or frayed wires, or if you immediately. smell burning insulation, turn • Evacuation is not safe when home with the flood waters. Use a stick to poke through off the electricity at the main flood waters become more fuse box or circuit breaker. If than six inches deep. debris. • Watch for loose plaster and you have to step in water to get • Listen to a battery-operated to the fuse box or circuit radio for evacuation ceilings that could fall. • Take pictures of the damage — breaker, call an electrician first instructions. for advice. • Follow recommended both of the house and its contents, for insurance claims. evacuation routes — shortcuts Check for sewage and water may be blocked. lines damage — If you suspect • Leave early enough to avoid Look for fire hazards: sewage lines are damaged, being marooned by flooded • Broken or leaking gas lines avoid using the toilets and call a roads. • Flooded electrical circuits plumber. If water pipes are • Remember that 24 inches of • Submerged furnaces or damaged, contact the water water will carry away most electrical appliances company and avoid using water vehicles. • Flammable or explosive materials coming from from the tap. You can obtain upstream safe water by melting ice cubes.