Flood Safety
The Weather Channel reports that 75 people die per year driving through flood waters. This is a result of misjudging the depth of water or not realizing a road has been washed out. These mistakes are especially easy to make at night. According to FEMA, six inches of water will reach the bottom of a passenger car, resulting in loss of control and possible stalling. One foot of water causes a car to float and two feet of moving water will wash a car away. Vehicles flip over easily, allowing water to rush in and leaving just seconds for occupants to escape.
Attempting to walk through flood water is even more dangerous than driving: Water flowing at 6 mph is equal to the force of an EF5 tornado! Movement of water at 25 mph is equivalent to wind speeds of 790 mph according to Dr. Greg Forbes of The Weather Channel.
After a flood, standing water contains dangers such as sewage and garbage, underwater entanglements, dead animals and chemical contaminants. Playing or wading in this water can cause, injury, sickness or even death. Nearby storm drains have enormous suction and strong currents creating difficulty to escape. Keep you and your family safe during flood season! “Turn around, don’t drown.”
FEMA classifies flood risk areas as high or moderate to low. High-risk areas statistically experience a 1 in 4 chance of flooding during a 30-year mortgage. Moderate to low-risk areas submit 20% of claims and receive 1/3 of disaster insurance. To learn more about the flood risk for your home or business, visit msc.fema.gov/portal. There an interactive flood map tool can show you your proximity to local levees and what evacuation routes would be available if overflow were to occur. Even if you are not located next to a body of water, there may still be a risk. This information is important to be aware of and should be considered in creating disaster plans.
The CDC recommends the stocking the following items in an emergency supply kit to be prepared for 3-5 days of emergency circumstances:
- Five gallons of water per person
- Water purifying tablets
- Non-perishable food, manual can opener, utensils
- Baby food, formula, diapers
- First aid kit, prescription meds
- Car emergency kit containing flares, booster cables, maps, tools, fire extinguisher, etc.
- Battery-powered radio, flashlights, extra batteries
- Sleeping bags, blankets, towels
- Disposable cleaning clothes in lieu of available bathing facilities
- Waterproof containers/bags
- Personal hygiene supplies
- Rubber boots, sturdy shoes, waterproof gloves
- Insect repellent, long-sleeved/long-legged clothing
Upon evacuation orders, the CDC recommends the following:
- Fill vehicle’s gas tank or use
pre-arranged transportation - Check emergency and first aid kits, verify supplies are packed
- Carry identification and important papers (medical records, insurance card, driver’s license) in waterproof bags
- Arrange to shelter pets in a safe, pet-approved facility
- Adjust the thermostat on refrigerators and freezers to the coolest possible temperature or unplug everything to prevent electric shock
- Turn off gas, electricity, and water
- Tune in the radio or television for weather updates
- Listen for disaster sirens and warning signals
- Do not drive through ponding water, creeks, or flooding roads
For more information visit cdc.gov.