PREPARING FOR FLOOD

If you live in a flood prone area, take the following precautions:

Flood Preparation Check List

• Check your homeowners or renters insurance for flood insurance coverage.
• Store supplies at work, home, and car in handy locations.
• Keep your car fueled.
• Know safe routes from your home or office to high, safe ground.
• Keep sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, and lumber handy.
• During a storm avoid areas that are subject to sudden flooding.
• If flooding is likely and time permits, move valuable household possessions to the upper floors of your home.
• Establish an out-of-state family contact so that friends and relatives will know who to call to get information about where you are.

• Store first aid kit and essential medicines.
• Store food (packaged, dried, canned, or food for special diets).
• Non-electric can opener.
• Cash on hand (ATM machines may not be working).
• Portable radio, flashlights, and extra batteries (stored in water-tight plastic bag).
• Store drinking water. Allow 1 gallon of water per person per day for 3 days.

• Do not try to cross a flowing stream where water is above your knees. Do not try to drive over a flooded road.
• If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it IMMEDIATELY and seek higher ground. Many deaths have resulted from attempts to move stalled vehicles.
• Do not sightsee in flooded areas. Do not try to enter areas blocked off by local authorities.
• Avoid unnecessary trips. If you must travel during the storm, dress in warm, loose layers of clothing. Advise others of your destination.
• Use the telephone ONLY for emergency needs or to report dangerous conditions.
• Tune to local radio or television stations for emergency information and instructions from local authorities.
• If advised by local authorities to leave your home, move to a safe area before access is cut off by floodwater.
• Move to higher ground and away from rivers, streams, creeks, and storm drains. Do not drive around barricades. These are placed to keep you out of harms way.
• Before leaving, disconnect all electrical appliances, and if advised by your local utility, shut off electric circuits at the fuse panel and gas service at the meter.

Flood Watches and Warning Procedures

When a flood WATCH is issued:

• Move valuable household possessions to the upper floors.
• Fill your car’s gas tank in the event an evacuation order is issued. When a flood WARNING is issued
• Tune in to local radio and TV stations for information and advice.
• When told to evacuate, do so as quickly as possible.

When a flash flood WATCH is issued:
Watch for signs of flash flooding and be ready to evacuate on a moments notice.

When a flash flood WARNING is issued:
If you believe flash flooding has begun, evacuate immediately, as you may have only seconds to escape.