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ARE YOU READY FOR A FLOOD OR A FLASH FLOOD?
Here's what you can do to prepare for such emergencies
Know what to expect
* Know your area'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 TV stations for
flood information.
* Floods can take several hours to days to
develop-
* A flood WATCH means a flood is
possible in your area.
* A 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-
* A flash flood WATCH means flash
flooding is possible in your area.
* A flash flood WARNING means a flash
flood is occurring or will occur very
soon.
Prepare A Family Disaster Plan
* 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 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
extra batteries
* 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 of your home.
* Fill your car's gas tank, in case an
evacuation notice is issued.
When a flood WARNING is issued . . .
* Listen to local radio and TV stations for
information and advice. 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.
READY FOR ANYTHING. ANYTIME. ANYWHERE. Plan and Get Ready
Prolonged rainfall over several days can cause a river or stream
to overflow and flood the surrounding area. A flash flood
from a broken dam or levee or 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 through such swift water.
Still, you can take steps to prepare for these types of
emergencies. Have various members of the family do each of the
items on the checklist below. Then hold a family meeting to
discuss and finalize your Family Disaster Plan.
Determine whether you're in a flood area.
Flood area: O yes O no
If in a flood area, is flooding covered under your homeowner's or
renter's insurance policy?
Flood insurance: O yes O no
If flooding is not covered under your homeowner's or renter's
policy, flood insurance is available from:
Keep current copies of all important papers and valuables in a
safe-deposit box.
Location of safe-deposit box:
Put together a Disaster Supplies Kit in a clearly labeled,
easy-to-grab box.
Location of Disaster Supplies Kit:
Write instructions on how and when to turn off your utilities-
electricity, gas,and water.
Instructions written:
Decide where your family would go in case you must evacuate.
Clear your plan with the relatives or friends you plan to stay
with-or go to a Red Cross shelter. Also, get an extra map and
mark two alternate ways to reach that destination. Add the map to
your Disaster Supplies Kit.
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