Avoiding Flood Damage
Excessive rain, with or without a major storm event, can cause flooding when the ground is already saturated and run-off occurs or water pools in low-lying areas. Here are some tips if you live in a flood-prone area.
If you’re unfamiliar with your areas, check with neighbors and authorities on the degree of past flooding. Be aware that even mountainous or dry areas can be affected by flash-floods; sometimes as a result of storms many miles away
1. Assemble a disaster-supplies kit in a clearly labeled, easy-to-grab box. It should include a first-aid kit and medications, special items for young or elderly family members, copies of important paperwork, rainwear, canned food and a can opener, bottled water and medicines. Also include written instructions for how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advice you to do so. (Remember, you’ll probably need a professional to turn natural gas service back on.)
2. Floods can take several hours or days to develop. Pay attention to local TV or radio stations for flood information. · A flood watch means flooding is possible in your area. A flood warning means flooding already has begun in your area or is likely to occur soon.
3. If it has been raining hard for several hours, or steadily raining for several days, be alert to the possibility of a flood, even without an official flood warning.
4. When a flood warning is issued for your area, move your furniture and valuables to higher floors or off the floor of your home, and fill your car’s gas tank in case an evacuation is ordered.
5. Identify where you could go if told to evacuate. Consider a friend or relative’s house in another town, a motel or a shelter. Become aware of the best flood-free routes to safety. If you do have to evacuate, notify relatives where you’ll be and be sure to take your cell phone with you.
6. Once a flood warning is issued, continue to listen to local TV or radio stations for details and instructions. If told to evacuate, do so as soon as possible.
7. If you must go out after a flash-flood warning is issued, avoid areas around rivers, creeks, drainage systems and storm drains. Do not drive around barricades; they’ve been put there for a reason. If your car stalls in rapidly rising water, abandon it immediately and get to higher ground. But avoid entering swift moving water if at all possible.
Source: Housemaster.com. http://enewsletter.housemaster.com/documents/article4_7_2010.html
