Flooding is the nation's most common natural disaster. Flooding
can happen in every U.S. state and territory. However, all floods
are not alike. Some can develop slowly during an extended period
of rain, or in a warming trend following a heavy snow. Others, such
as flash floods, can occur quickly, even without any visible signs
of rain. It's important to be prepared for flooding no matter where
you live, but particularly if you are in a low-lying area, near
water or downstream from a dam. Even a very small stream or dry
creek bed can overflow and create flooding.
Step 1: Get a Kit
Get an Emergency
Supply Kit, which includes items like non-perishable food, water,
a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries.
You may want to prepare a portable kit and keep it in your car.
This kit should include:
- Copies of prescription medications and medical supplies;
- Bedding and clothing, including sleeping bags and pillows;
- Bottled water, a battery-operated radio and extra batteries,
a first aid kit, a flashlight;
- Copies of important documents: driver's license, Social Security
card, proof of residence, insurance policies, wills, deeds, birth
and marriage certificates, tax records, etc.
Step 2: Make a Plan
Prepare your family
- Make a Family
Emergency Plan. Your family may not be together when disaster
strikes, so it is important to know how you will contact one another,
how you will get back together and what you will do in case of
an emergency.
- Plan places where your family will meet, both within and outside
of your immediate neighborhood.
- It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to
call across town, so an out-of-town contact may be in a better
position to communicate among separated family members.
- You may also want to inquire about emergency plans at places
where your family spends time: work, daycare and school. If no
plans exist, consider volunteering to help create one.
- Be sure to consider the specific needs of your family members
- Notify caregivers and babysitters about your plan.
- Make plans for your pets
- Take a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class from
your local Citizen
Corps chapter. Keep your training current.
Step 3: Be Informed
Familiarize yourself with these terms to help identify
a flood hazard
- Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Tune in
to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information
- Flash Flood Watch: Flash flooding is possible.
Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to NOAA Weather Radio,
commercial radio, or television for information.
- Flood Warning: Flooding is occurring or will
occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately.
- Flash Flood Warning: A flash flood is occurring;
seek higher ground on foot immediately.
Understand Some of the Most Frequent Causes of Flooding:
Tropical Storms and Hurricanes: Hurricanes pack
a triple punch: high winds, soaking rain, and flying debris. They
can cause storm surges to coastal areas, as well as create heavy
rainfall which in turn causes flooding hundreds of miles inland.
While all coastal areas are at risk, certain cities are particularly
vulnerable and could have losses similar to or even greater than
those caused by the 2005 hurricane, Katrina, in New Orleans and
Mississippi.
When hurricanes weaken into tropical storms, they generate rainfall
and flooding that can be especially damaging since the rain collects
in one place. In 2001, Tropical Storm Allison produced more than
30 inches of rainfall in Houston in just a few days, flooding over
70,000 houses and destroying 2,744 homes.
Spring Thaw: During the spring, frozen land prevents
melting snow or rainfall from seeping into the ground. Each cubic
foot of compacted snow contains gallons of water and once the snow
melts, it can result in the overflow of streams, rivers, and lakes.
Add spring storms to that and the result is often serious spring
flooding.
Heavy Rains: Several areas of the country are
at heightened risk for flooding due to heavy rains. The Northwest
is at high risk due to La Niña conditions, which include: snow melts,
heavy rains, and recent wildfires. And the Northeast is at high
risk due to heavy rains produced from Nor'easters.
This excessive amount of rainfall can happen throughout the year,
putting your property at risk.
West Coast Threats: The West Coast rainy season
usually lasts from November to April, bringing heavy flooding and
increased flood risks with it; however, flooding can happen at anytime.
A string of large wildfires have dramatically changed the landscape
and ground conditions, causing fire-scorched land to become mudflows
under heavy rain. Experts say that it might take years for vegetation
to return, which will help stabilize these areas.
The West Coast also has thousands of miles of levees, which are
meant to help protect homes and their land in case of a flood. However,
levees can erode, weaken, or overtop when waters rise, often causing
catastrophic results.
Levees & Dams: Levees are designed to protect
against a certain level of flooding. However, levees can and do
decay over time, making maintenance a serious challenge. Levees
can also be overtopped, or even fail during large floods, creating
more damage than if the levee wasn't even there. Because of the
escalating flood risks in areas with levees, especially in the mid-west,
FEMA strongly recommends flood insurance for all homeowners in these
areas.
Flash Floods: Flash floods are the #1 weather-related
killer in the U.S. since they can roll boulders, tear out trees,
and destroy buildings and bridges. A flash flood is a rapid flooding
of low-lying areas in less than six hours, which is caused by intense
rainfall from a thunderstorm or several thunderstorms. Flash floods
can also occur from the collapse of a man-made structure or ice
dam.
New Development: Construction and development
can change the natural drainage and create brand new flood risks.
That's because new buildings, parking lots, and roads mean less
land to absorb excess precipitation from heavy rains, hurricanes,
and tropical storms.
Know Your Risks, Know Your Saftey
- Find out if your home is at risk for flood and educate yourself
on the impact a flood could have on you and your family. FEMA's
Flood Insurance Study compiled statistical data on river flows,
storm tides, hydrologic/hydraulic analyses, and rainfall and topographic
surveys to create flood
hazard maps that outline your community's different flood
risk areas.
- Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Talk
to your insurance provider about your policy and consider if you
need additional coverage.
- The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) can help provide
a means for property owners to financially protect themselves
if additional coverage is required. The NFIP offers flood insurance
to homeowners, renters, and business owners if their community
participates in the NFIP. To find out more about the NFIP visit
www.FloodSmart.gov.
Prepare Your Home
- Elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel in your
home if you live in an area that has a high flood risk.
- Consider installing "check valves" to prevent flood water from
backing up into the drains of your home.
- If feasible, construct barriers to stop floodwater from entering
the building and seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds.
- Find out how to keep food safe during and after and emergency
by visiting www.FoodSafety.gov
Prepare Your Business
Plan
to stay in business, talk to your employees, and protect your
investment.
- Carefully assess how your company functions,
both internally and externally, to determine which staff, materials,
procedures and equipment are absolutely necessary to keep the
business operating.
- Identify operations critical to survival and
recovery.
- Plan what you will do if your building, plant or store
is not accessible.
- Consider if you can run the business from a different location
or from your home.
- Develop relationships with other companies to use their
facilities in case a disaster makes your location unusable.
- Learn about programs, services, and resources at U.S.
Small Business Administration.
Listen to Local Officials
Learn about the emergency plans that have been established in
your area by your state
and local government. In any emergency, always listen to the
instructions given by local emergency management officials.
Federal and National Resources
Find additional information on how to plan and prepare for floods,
what to do during and after a flood and learn about available resources
by visiting the following:
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