Before, During and After a Flood

Before a Flood

• Find out if you live in a flood-prone area from your local emergency management office or Red Cross chapter.
  
• Ask whether your property is above or below the flood stage water level and learn about the history of flooding for your region.
  
• Learn flood warning signs and your community alert signals.
  
• Request information on preparing for floods and flash floods.
  
• If you live in a frequently flooded area, stockpile emergency building materials. These include plywood, plastic sheeting, lumber nails, hammer and saw, pry bar, shovels, and sandbags.
  
• Have check valves installed in building sewer traps to prevent flood waters from backing up in sewer drains.
  
• As a last resort, use large corks or stoppers to plug showers, tubs, or basins.
  
• Plan and practice an evacuation route.
  
• Contact the local emergency management office or local American Red Cross chapter for a copy of the community flood evacuation plan.
  
• This plan should include information on the safest routes to shelters. Individuals living in flash flood areas should have several alternative routes.
  
• Elevate your utilities, such as electrical service panels and your air conditioner, 2 to 3 feet above flood elevation.
  
• Consider adding a waterproof veneer to your home (appropriate in areas where flood depth is less than 2 feet).
  
• Provide openings in foundation walls that allow floodwaters to flow in and out, avoiding collapse.
  
• Buy and install sump pumps with back-up power.
  
• Have disaster supplies on hand:
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• First aid kit and manual
• Emergency food and water
• Nonelectric can opener
• Essential medicines
• Cash and credit cards
• Sturdy shoes
  
• Develop an emergency communication plan.
  
• In case family members are separated from one another during floods or flashfloods (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together.
  
• Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.
  
• Make sure that all family members know how to respond after a flood or flash flood.
  
• Teach all family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.
  
• Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, fire department, and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.
  
• Learn about the National Flood Insurance Program.
  
• Ask your insurance agent about flood insurance. Homeowners policies do not cover flood damage.

During a Flood

If Indoors:

• Turn on battery-operated radio or television to get the latest emergency information.
  
• Get your preassembled emergency supplies.
  
• If told to leave, do so immediately.

If Outdoors:

• Climb to high ground and stay there.
  
• Avoid walking through any floodwaters. If it is moving swiftly, even water 6 inches deep can sweep you off your feet.

If In A Car

• If you come to a flooded area, turn around and go another way.
  
• If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground. Many deaths have resulted from attempts to move stalled vehicles.

During An Evacuation

• If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
  
• Evacuation is much simpler and safer before flood waters become too deep for ordinary vehicles to drive through.
  
• Listen to a batter-operated radio for evacuation instructions.
  
• Follow recommended evacuation routes--shortcuts may be blocked.
  
• Leave early enough to avoid being marooned by flooded roads.

After a Flood

• Flood dangers do not end when the water begins to recede. Listen to a radio or television and don't return home until authorities indicate it is safe to do so.
  
• Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance--infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities.
  
• Inspect foundations for cracks or other damage.
  
• Stay out of buildings if flood waters remain around the building.
  
• When entering buildings, use extreme caution.
• Wear sturdy shoes and use battery-powered lanterns or flashlights when examining buildings.
• Examine walls, floors, doors, and windows to make sure that the building is not in danger of collapsing.
• Watch out for animals, especially poisonous snakes, that may have come into your home with the flood waters. Use a stick to poke through debris.
• Watch for loose plaster and ceilings that could fall.
• Take pictures of the damage--both to the house and its contents for insurance claims.
  
• Look for fire hazards.
• Broken or leaking gas lines
• Flooded electrical circuits
• Submerged furnaces or electrical appliances
• Flammable or explosive materials coming from upstream
  
• Throw away food--including canned goods--that has come in contact with flood waters.
  
• Pump out flooded basements gradually (about one-third of the water per day) to avoid structural damage.
  
• Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are health hazards.

Take Precautions During and After Flooding

• Remember that flood conditions change rapidly and severe flooding can develop in minutes. Flood water levels can be much deeper than they appear. The depth of water may be difficult to assess. Only two feet of water can cause a car to be swept away, and as little as six inches can cause unstable footing.
  
• "Never assume the situation is safe," said Eric Slagle, assistant secretary of environmental health at state Department of Health. "Do not walk or drive through flood waters. More people drown in their cars during a flood than anywhere else."
  
• Floods and storms can also knock down power lines. If you lose power, never use a gas oven, range, barbecue, hibachi or portable propane heater to heat your home. These units give off deadly carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide poisoning has caused several deaths during previous storms this year.
  
• If you see downed power lines, do not try to repair or grab them. Even when flood water levels appear to have subsided, electrical currents can travel through the remaining water for more than 100 yards. Contact your utility company or police department to report downed power lines.
  
• If your well has been flooded, assume the water in your home has been contaminated. If you are on a public water system, listen to your radio and television for news from public health departments to find out if your water is contaminated. If water is contaminated, bottled water is the best choice. If you can, get commercially bottled water that has been stored for less than 6 months in tightly sealed containers. Plan for one gallon per person per day.
  
• Flood waters may carry silt, raw sewage, oil or chemical waste. Wash your hands frequently with soap and disinfected water to prevent spread of disease. This should be done before preparing or eating food, after toilet use, and after flood clean up when your hands may have touched articles contaminated from water or sewage. When in doubt, throw out fresh, frozen or dry food, such as cereal, that may have been in contact with the water.
  
• If you can, wear gloves and boots at all times to avoid touching anything with bare hands or feet. Parents should not allow children to play in flood areas and should ensure that their children wash hands often.
  
• To be better prepared for an emergency, keep a battery operated radio and a flashlight on hand. For more information, contact your local health department or emergency management agency.

If Your Home Is Flooded

• Be sure utilities are off. Don't turn them on until notified.
  
• Avoid weakened structures, particularly floors, walls and rooftops to avoid structural damage.
  
• Do not pump basement out until flood water recedes