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Disaster Preparedness

Is Your Family Prepared for Floods and Other Natural Disasters?

Floods and freak storms are becoming more common—and a little preparation will go a long way if one occurs in your area. Whether you live near a river or reservoir, or very far away from one, or in an area vulnerable to storms or earthquakes, share these disaster safety tips with your family.

Make an Emergency Kit

Put the following into an easy-to-grab plastic box:Emergency supplies water flashlight radio and batteries

  • blankets
  • flashlights
  • enough food, water, and supplies for three days
  • radio and extra batteries
  • first aid supplies
  • medicines
  • cell phone car charger

Keep handy one complete change of clothing and shoes per person, including wet-weather gear.

Storm Sense

A terrible storm is raging, your local streets are too flooded to drive on, and the electricity in your neighborhood has just gone off. Show or explain what items you would use from your emergency kit to stay safe and comfortable.

Make a Family Exit Map

Draw a map of your home, and create an exit route. Post where all can see it. Use it to practice exit drills with your family. Include the following:Fire extinguisher

  • The location of fire extinguishers
  • Two ways to escape from each room in your home
  • The route to a place outside your home where your family can meet after an emergency. If your home is at risk of flooding, make sure your meeting place is located at a higher elevation.

Create a Contact List

During some disasters, long-distance calls may be easier to make than local calls. Make a list ahead of time of at least three people who live outside your state who can help you stay in touch with family and friends during a disaster. Include their name, state, area code and phone number. Make sure everyone in your family has this list in their cell phones and a printed copy in their backpack or wallet.

In Case of Flooding

Whether you live downstream from a reservoir or far away from one, it’s important to know how to recognize the signs of a flood and how to respond.Close up of in case of flooding go to higher ground sign

Be alert for these flood warning signs: increased water speed or depth, unusual amounts of debris in water, change in water from clear to muddy, or unusually cold water.

Evacuation Plan

If you see flood warning signs, you may need to evacuate at sudden notice. Decide in advance these details:Close up of hands touching tablet with emergency evacuation plan document

  • Where is our family meeting place?
  • How will we get there?
  • Who will we call in case of an emergency?
  • Where is our emergency kit, and who will be responsible for taking it?
  • How will we help anyone in our family who is elderly or needs special assistance?
  • How will we transport our pets?

Post your answers where everyone can see them. Use your plan to practice flood evacuation drills with your family, just as you practice fire drills at school.

Science Sense

Use a map to identify the waterways closest to your home. Find out if they have ever flooded, and if so, how badly. Ask your parents or other family members, contact your local water agency, or do some Internet research to find out.

If a storm is coming, stay indoors at least 30 minutes after you hear the last thunder. Keep away from windows, wiring, and plumbing.

If you are outside when a storm approaches, seek proper shelter—a large, enclosed building with conventional wiring and plumbing. If you can’t get indoors, take these precautions to avoid lightning strikes:Close up of lightning bolts in night sky

  • Get into a hardtop car—not an open vehicle. Close windows.
  • Avoid trees, tall objects, and metal.
  • Avoid rivers, lakes, and swimming pools.
  • Avoid open areas, including sports fields.

Never try to cross flooded areas with water over six inches deep.

Watch out for downed power lines!

Storms that cause flooding may also knock down electric power lines. Fallen power lines may be obvious and easy to see, or may be hidden in puddles or fallen branches. If you see a fallen power line, immediately report it to 911 and your local electric utility. Stay at least 50 feet away from the line and anything touching it.

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