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TABLE OF CONTENTS KNOW YOUR RISK …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…..1 BEFORE AN EVENT: PROTECT YOURSELF BEFORE A FLOODING EVENT………………………………………………………….….3 GENERAL GUIDELINES …...……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...4 BE INFORMED ………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………...4 MAKE A PLAN ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……..4 KNOW THE TERMS ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………..5 BEFORE AN EVENT: PLAN AND PREPARE ..………………………………………………………………………………………………………6 SAFETY SKILLS ..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………7 PURCHASE A NOAA WEATHER RADIO .…..……………………………………………………………………………………………….………8 DEVELOP A FAMILY COMMUNICATIONS PLAN……………………………….………………………………………….……………….…. 8 SIGN UP FOR LOCAL ALERTS……………………….. ……………………………………………………………………………..………….……...8 ASSEMBLING AN EMERGENCY SUPPLIES KIT………...……………………………………………………………………………….…..…..9 KNOW YOUR EVACUATION ROUTES; PLAN YOUR TRANSPORTATION AND A PLACE TO STAY………………...……..10 KNOW YOUR FLOOD RISK …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………...11 CONSIDER PURCHASING FLOOD INSURANCE ……………………………………………………………………..………………………...11 TYPES OF FLOODING …………………………………...……………………………………………………………………….………………………12 PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR A FLOODING EVENT ……………………………………………………………………………………… 14 PROTECT YOURSELF DURING FLOODING EVENT…………………………………………………………………………….……..………15 DURING AN EVENT: SURVIVE……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…16 PROTECT YOURSELF AFTER FLOODING EVENT……………………………………………………………….…………………………..…17 DURING AN EVENT: RECOVER……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………18 SOURCES ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………20 FLOODING PREPAREDNESS OVERVIEW KNOW YOUR RISK looding is a temporary overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. There are many possible causes of floods including heavy rain or snowmelt, coastal storms and storm surge, waterway overflow from being F blocked with debris or ice, or overflow of levees, dams, or waste water systems. Flooding can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly with little or no warning, called flash floods. WHAT WHERE Flooding is an overflowing of water Flooding can happen in any U.S. state Flooding can cause fatalities and onto land that is normally dry. Flood- or territory. It is particularly serious injuries for people who are ing may happen with only a few important to be prepared for flooding trapped or swept away by wading inches of water, or it may cover a if you live in a low-lying area near a in, driving through or boating across house to the rooftop. body of water, such as a river, floodwaters. stream, or culvert; along a coast; or WHEN downstream from a dam or levee. Transportation routes, power, water, gas, and other services may Flooding can occur during any season, IMPACT be disrupted. but some areas of the country are at greater risk at certain times of the Flooding can happen in any U.S. state Commercial supplies and year. Coastal areas are at greater risk or territory. It is particularly government support systems may for flooding during hurricane season important to be prepared for flooding be temporarily unavailable. (i.e., June to November), while the if you live in a low-lying area near a Drinking water supplies and wells Midwest is more at risk in the spring body of water, such as a river, may become polluted. and during heavy summer rains. Ice stream, or culvert; along a coast; or jams occur in the spring in the North- downstream from a dam or levee. Floodwaters can cause erosion, east and Northwest. Even the deserts which can damage roads, bridge Flooding can happen in any U.S. state of the Southwest are at risk during structures, levees, and buildings or territory. It is particularly the late summer monsoon season. with weak foundations, causing important to be prepared for flooding their collapse without warning. if you live in a low-lying area near a Floodwaters may carry the body of water, such as a river, worn - away mud, rocks, and other stream, or culvert; along a coast; or sediment. Landsides and mudslide downstream from a dam or levee. can often occur. 1 | GUIDE TO FLOODING PREPAREDNESS KNOW YOUR RISK Frequency of Flood Events by County: 1996 - 2013 Flood Frequency by County 101 - 4,114 21 - 100 1 - 20 No Recorded Floods This map depicts all coastal, flash, lakeshore, storm surge, or other flooding identified by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad- ministration (NOAA). Even a few inches of floodwater in a home can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage. GUIDE TO FLOODING PREPAREDNESS | 2 1 PROTECTING YOURSELF BEFORE A FLOODING EVENT rotecting yourself today means having sources for information, preparing your home or workplace, developing an emergency P communications plan, and knowing what to do during a flooding event. Taking action today can save lives and during an actual event. The following section highlights various preparedness initiatives and actives that you and your family can practice now to prepare for a future flooding event. A FLOODING EVENT A FLOODING PROTECTING YOURSELF BEFORE BEFORE YOURSELF PROTECTING 3 | GUIDE TO FLOODING PREPAREDNESS 1 | PROTECT YOURSELF BEFORE AN EVENT GENERAL GUIDELINES The guidelines listed below are basic ways for you to start preparing yourself and your family now, before an event occurs. Preparing saves lives in the future. BE INFORMED Stay “weather aware”. Know the difference between a watch and a warning and what to do in each situation. Sign up to receive local emergency alerts and register your work and personal contact information with any work sponsored alert system. You can signup to receive emergency alerts on the City of Shawnee website at www.shawneeok.org. Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers. MAKE A PLAN Make a plan with your family, and ensure everyone knows what they would do in a flooding event. Understand the plans for individuals with disabilities or other access and functional needs GUIDE TO FLOODING PREPAREDNESS | 4 1 | PROTECT YOURSELF BEFORE AN EVENT KNOW THE TERMS Know the terms used to describe changing weather conditions and what actions to take. These terms can be used to determine the timeline and severity of an approaching storm. FLOOD ADVISORY - An Flood Advisory is issued when a specific weather event that is forecast to occur may become a nuisance. A Flood Advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning. However, it may cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property. ADVISORY FLOOD WATCH - A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur. A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible. WATCH FLASH FLOOD WARNING - A Flash Flood Warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood prone area move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can ! take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain. WARNING FLOOD WARNING - Take Action! A Flood Warning is issued when the hazardous weather event is imminent ! or already happening. A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring. WARNING 5 | GUIDE TO FLOODING PREPAREDNESS 1 | PROTECT YOURSELF BEFORE AN EVENT BEFORE AN EVENT: PLAN AND PREPARE Follow the tips below to reduce your risk before an event occurs. Keep yourself and your family safe. Preparing for an event now will better help you respond to an event when it occurs. Follow these guidelines to reduce your risk of infection: Know types of flood risk in your area. Visit FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center for information. Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmos- pheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts. If flash flooding is a risk in your location, then monitor potential signs, such as heavy rain. Learn and practice evacuation routes, shelter plans, and flash flood response. Gather supplies in case you have to leave immediately, or if services are cut off. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Don’t forget the needs of pets. Obtain extra batteries and charging devices for phones and other critical equipment. Purchase or renew a flood insurance policy. It typically takes up to 30 days for a policy to go into effect and can protect the life you've built. Homeowner’s policies do not cover flooding. Get flood coverage under the National Flood Insur- ance Program (NFIP) Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies. Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves. Consider