Prolonged
rainfall over several days can cause a river or stream to overflow and flood the
surrounding area. A flash flood after intense rainfall of one inch or more per
hour often catches people unprepared.
Regardless, the rule for being safe is
simple: head for the high ground and stay away from the water. Even a
shallow depth of fast-moving flood water produces more force than most people
imagine. The most dangerous thing you can do is to try walking, swimming, or
driving your care through swift water.
Still, you can take steps to prepare for these types of emergencies.
Hold a family meeting and discuss your Family Disaster
Plan for a flood.
- Know what to expect.
- Know your neighborhood's flood risk- if unsure, call your
local Red Cross chapter.
- If it has been raining hard for several hours, or steadily
raining for several days, be alert to the possibility of a flood.
- Listen to local radio or television stations for flood
information.
- Floods can take several hours to days to develop-
- FLOOD WATCH means a flood is
possible in your area.
- FLOOD WARNING means flooding is already
occurring or will occur soon in your area.
- Flash floods can take only a few minutes to a few
hours to develop-
- FLASH FLOOD WATCH means flash flooding
is possible in your area.
- FLASH FLOOD WARNING means a flash flood
is occurring or will occur very soon in your area.
- Prepare a Family Disaster Kit-
- Check your homeowner's or renter's insurance to see if it
covers flooding. If not, find out how to get flood insurance.
- Keep insurance policies, documents, and other valuables in
a safe-deposit box.
- Assemble an Emergency Supplies Kit containing-
- First aid kit and essential medications,
- Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra
batteries,
- Canned food and can opener,
- Bottled water, and
- Rubber boots and rubber gloves.
- Identify where you could go if told to evacuate. Choose
several places...a friend's home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.
- When a FLOOD WATCH is issued-
- Move your furniture and valuables to higher floors in
your home.
- Fill your car's gas tank, in case an evacuation notice
is issued.
- When a FLOOD WATCH is issued- listen to local radio
or television stations for information and advise. If told to evacuate, do so as
soon as possible.
- When a FLASH FLOOD WATCH is issued- be alert to
signs of flash flooding and be ready to evacuate on a moment's notice.
- When a FLASH FLOOD WARNING is issued-
- Or, if you think it has already started, evacuate immediately.
You may have only seconds to escape. Act quickly!
- Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks,
and storm drains. Do NOT drive around barricades...they are there for
your safety.
- If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it
immediately and climb to higher ground.
And remember, when a tornado, earthquake, flood, fire, or other
emergency happens in your community, you can count on your local
American
Red Cross chapter to be there to help you and your family.
Sources: IEMA, American Red Cross, & NOAA
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