How You Can Prepare For a Flood or Flash Flood
- Know your area's flood risk.
- If it has been raining hard for several hours, or steadily for several days, be alert to the possibility of a flood.
- Listen to local radio or TV for flood information.
- Floods can take hours or days to develop.
- FLOOD WATCH means a flood is possible in your area.
- FLOOD WARNING means flooding is occuring or will soon occur in your area.
- 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.
KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT:
- Check your insurance policy to see if it covers flooding. If not, check into flood insurance.
- Keep valuables and current copies of important documents in a safe deposit box.
- Put together a Disaster Supplies Kit containing: First Aid Kit, Canned food and can opener, Bottled water, Rubber boots and rubber gloves, Battery powered radio, flashlight, and batteries
- Identify where you could go if told to evacuate.
PREPARE A DISASTER PLAN:
- Move your furniture and valuables to higher floors of your home.
- Fill your car's gas tank, in case an evacuation notice is issued.
- Pack a bag with essential personal items such as prescription medications and eyeglasses.
- Move pets to safest spot available. They will not be taken into public shelters.
WHEN A FLOOD WATCH IS ISSUED:
- Listen to local radio and TV for information and advice. If told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible.
- Turn off electric, gas and water if told to evacuate.
WHEN A FLOOD WARNING IS ISSUED:
- Be ready to evacuate on a moment's notice.
- Turn off electric, gas and water.
WHEN A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS ISSUED:
- Evacuate immediately. You may have only seconds to escape. Act quickly.
- Move to higher ground away from the water. Do not drive around barricades.
- If your car stalls in rapidly rising water, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.
WHEN A FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS ISSUED:
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