Flood Preparation Guide

Floods are some of the most common, and the most destructive (both in danger towards life and monetary damages) natural disasters that the United States deals with. Floods are a disaster that nearly every part of the United States has to be careful of, since rainfall can be the cause and almost all of the US has heavy times of the year for rainfall.

Below is a guide for how you can prepare yourself for a flood –type situation and make sure that you and your loved ones have the best chance to protect whats yours, stay safe, and be clear on what you need to do if the need for an evacuation should arise:

The 13 Basic Steps to Prepare for a Flood:

1. First of all, learn about your surrounding area, and when things become more likely for you to be dealing with a flood. Learn about your personal communities emergency plan, and especially any flood evacuation routes that are in palce already. These are usually made with research that will give you the best route to avoid high water levels in your vehicle. Also locate all emergency shelters and be clear on their policies (some do not allow pets, for example!)
2. Plan a “family contact”, which is where everyone will head should an unfortunate situation arise. Everyone should know the phone number and address of this contact person beforehand.
3. Save emergency phone numbers everywhere where it is applicable, in cell phones, at home, in cars, etc.
4. Understand clearly how to shut off utilities in your home. If told to evacuate, be sure to shut off gas and water supplies.
5. Buy a fire extinguisher and be sure that everyone in your family knows how to use it incase of a spark fire or short from rising water levels or ignited oil.
6. Buy and install sump pumps that have back-up power to help keep water levels low.
7. Be sure to secure oil tanks to the ground to prevent separation from the floor of basements and to keep oil from leaking out.
8. Have a licensed electrician raise all electrical components, which includes circuit breakers, wiring, sockets, and switches) at least 12” above your homes projected floor elevation.
9. Backflow valves can be installed to drains and toilets to prevent floodwaters from rising up and entering your home.
10. Gather Emergency supplies that you have stocked in your home and put them all into one “easy to grab” place
11. If you are in the middle of a storm or flooding situation, it’s important to stay tuned to local radio or television station for updates.
12. Fill bathtubs, sinks, and plastic soda bottles with clean water while you can. During floods water levels can rise and contaminate water supplies and the pipes that your usually clean water runs through. This turns the water brown with rust and ground swell.
13. Make sure to bring outdoor furniture and property indoors if possible to prevent anything from floating away or damaging your home.

The10 Emergency Supplies You Absolutely NEED In a Flood Situation:

1. Clean Water. Bring literally as much clean water as you can. Each person should drink half a gallon of water a day. Depending on how many people you are supplying for, this could mean upwards of 5 gallons.
2. A 3-5 Day supply of non-perishable food (and do yourself a favor and bring a non-electric can opener)
3. Batteries that will work with your battery-powered flashlights, and a battery-powered radio.
4. Extra blankets, and extra sleeping bags.
5. A Fully packed First-Aid Kit, ready to deal with lacerations, scrapes, cuts, and even sunburn
6. Water purifying supplies, like a filter than can be purchased online, or at the very least get some chlorine or iodine tablets.
7. All personal hygiene supplies youll need to live for 3-5 days out of a suitcase.
8. Be sure to bring an emergency kit for your car which includes booster cables, tools, a updated map, fire extinguisher, and flares.
9. Waterproof gloves, rubber boots for wading through high water levels, and solid shoes for everyone.
10. Bug spray that can help repel mosquitos