November 11, 2009 No comment

With heavy rains and record tides in the forecast for the east coast the next few days it is time to review what we should be prepared to do in case flooding affects our neighborhood. Please pass along the link to this post to any family and friends you may have in the affected area.

Flood Watch-Flooding is possible in your area

Flood Warning-Flooding is already occurring in another area and may affect your neighborhood.

Flash Flood Watch-Flash flooding is possible

Flash Flood Warning-Flash flood is already occurring and will affect your area.

When a flood watch is issued, and if you are in the threatened area, you should begin serious preparations to minimize the damage to your home and to protect your family, pets and property.

Begin by moving furniture and valuables to higher floors in your home. If you live in a single story home, move your valuables to the highest level possible. This could include counters, the highest shelves in closets, or plant shelves. Also consider the crawl space in the attic.

Cage your pets. They will quickly become disoriented and you will need to cage them to keep them safe if you need to remain in your home. If you must leave them in your home when you evacuate be sure they have access to stairs and counters as a refuge as the water rises. Never leave pets caged or leashed.

Check your yard and bring in any lawn furniture, toys or other items that may float away. Most of the things in the yard are not going to be damaged by water. After all, they do sit outside during all sorts of weather. For this reason they can be placed in a garage. They just need to be protected from blowing or floating away — not from flood waters.

Fill pots, water pitchers, picnic juice coolers, and sanitized sinks and bathtubs with water. After a flood, water from the tap may not be safe to drink for several days. You should be storing water in case of an emergency. Now is the time to move that to a higher, safer, location inside your home. Move some water to the attic in case you are caught without warning and need to evacuate to the roof.

If you have not already done so, place in the attic an ax and a backpack. The backpack should contain food that does not need to be cooked, dry clothing, wool blankets, safety vests, rain ponchos, flashlight, portable radio and safety glow sticks. Wool blankets, or wool and man-made fiber blend blankets, will continue to keep you warm even when they are wet. Make sure you have one. Industrial grade, safety light sticks are 10 inches long and can be seen up to a mile away. These are the type which should be stored with your emergency provisions in your attic. Unlike radios with a light and flashlights, glow sticks will be unaffected by water exposure. Keep them handy to signal rescuers at night. If you should need to evacuate to the roof, it is better to cut a hole in the roof rather than to crawl out a window and get wet, or be swept away in a current. Your goal is always to remain dry. Leave these supplies in the attic year round and you will always be ready for a surprise or middle of the night flooding emergency.

Load photos, heirlooms and other valuable items into the car, along with the family 72 hour kits and medications. Be sure you add important documents to your kit now; don’t wait for an emergency. Make sure you also have maps and your car cell phone charger in the car. Fill the gas tank so you are ready to go at a moment’s notice.

Once a flood warning is issued, finish preparing your home so you can leave:

Locate and gather all family members. Gather pets and deliver them to the friend or family member who has agreed to watch them in an emergency. Call your out of state contact person and inform them of your plans. Give them your evacuation destination and phone number, if that is available.

Close and lock all windows and doors.

Turn off water, electricity and natural gas or propane lines into the house.

Listen to local radio and television broadcasts for current information and advice. When told to evacuate, do so immediately. When evacuating, avoid driving through flooded areas. It does not take much water to be caught in a current and swept away.

If a flash flood warning is issued, evacuate immediately. You may have a very short time to get safely away, so don’t delay. Evacuate quickly to higher ground away from rivers, lakes, streams, creeks, canals, and storm drains. An otherwise calm body of water can very quickly turn into a dangerous trap with strong currents and debris.

Never drive around barricades; they are in place for your safety. Rising water is not the only danger during a flood. Downed power lines can make shallow water deadly. Electrocution is the major cause of death during a flood. Never assume you know the reason for the barricade. Turn around and find another route out.

If your car stalls in rising waters, abandon your car immediately and climb to higher ground. If it is no longer possible to reach land safely, climb out of your car on to the roof and hang on. You will be more easily seen by rescuers, and they will evacuate you more quickly, if you are on the roof.

Never swim in flood waters. There may be snakes and other critters in the water, as well as debris, both of which can be very dangerous or even deadly.

Should conditions worsen too quickly to evacuate by car, grab the photos, 72-hour kits, and other items you placed in your car and transfer them to the attic.

Worst case, you may need to evacuate to the roof of your home. If you should need to do this, put on the rain ponchos you previously stored in the attic, even if it is not presently raining. Over the poncho, put on the safety vest. Because of their bright orange color these vests can be seen for long distances, making you more visible to rescuers.When awaiting rescue on a roof at night wave your glow stick as it is more easily seen than a stationary light. Take a battery or crank powered radio with you as you evacuate.

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