Flood Safety Terminology
- Flash Flood - A flood that can happen in a few minutes or hours of heavy rainfall, dam/levee failure, or drains overflowing.
- Flood Watch - A message that flooding is possible.
- Flood Warning - A message that flooding will happen soon (if it hasn’t already).
- Levee/Dam - A structure to contain or prevent water from overflowing and flooding an area.
Questions You Should Ask
- How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
- What is my shelter plan?
- What about my pet(s). Can I take them to the shelter?
- What is my evacuation route?
- What is my family/household communication plan?
- Do I need to update my emergency preparedness kit?
Steps You Should Take
- Make a family emergency communication plan and include pets.
- Have emergency supplies in place at home, at work, and in the car.
- Include your pets in your emergency plans. Build a separate emergency kit for your pets
- Make sure and keep digital records and/or pictures to identify your pet after a disaster in case you become separated.
- Create a list of places that accept pets if an emergency happens.
- Check on your neighbors to make sure they’re okay.
- Know what to do before, during, and after a flood.
- Flood insurance takes 30 days to take effect, so purchase now to protect your family!
- Listen to local officials on the radio, TV, or social media.
- Evacuate when advised by authorities or if you are in a flood or flash flood-prone area.
- If you are on high ground above flooded areas, being prepared to stay where you are may be the best protection.
- Never drive or walk through flooded streets; Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Do not go through flood waters. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks.
More Information:
Know Your Property’s Flood Risk
Access local flood map by address
https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home
According to FEMA, “If you live in an area with low or moderate flood risk, you are 5 times more likely to experience flood than a fire in your home over the next 30 years. For many, a National Flood Insurance Program's flood insurance policy could cost less than $400 per year.”
Track Area Rivers
