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pingWithaFloodBefore,DuringandAfter
dycan stop aflood. But if you arefaced withthereareactions you
can taketo protect youryand keep your propertylosses to
aminimum.
ost important thingis to makesureyour family
fe.REAFLOOD:
eep abattery-powered radio tuned to alocalation, and
followemergencyinstructions.
thewaters start to riseinsideyour housebeforeou haveevacuated,
retreat to thesecond floor, thetic, and if necessary, theroof.
Takedryclothing,flashlight and aportableradio with you. Then,ait
for help. Dont tryto swimto safety; wait forescuers to cometo
you.
EPERMITS,
HEREAREOTHERSTEPSTHATYOUTAKEBEFORETHEFLOODWATERSCOME.
urn off all utilities at themain power switchnd closethemain gas
valveif evacuation appearsecessary.
ovevaluables, such as papers, furs, jewelry,nd clothingto upper
floors or higher elevations.
ill bathtubs, sinks and plastic sodabottles withlean water.
Sanitizethesinks and tubs first bysingbleach. Rinse, then fill with
clean water.
ringoutdoor possessions, such as lawn furniture,rills and trash
cans inside, or tiethemdowncurely.
ONCETHEFLOODARRIVES:
Do not drivethrough aflooded area. If youcomeupon aflooded road,
turn around and goanother way. Morepeopledrown in their cars
than anywhereelse.D on o twal k t h r o u ghf l o o d edar eas
.Asl i t t l eassixi n c h eso fmo vi n gwat erc ank n o c kyo uo f
fyo u rfeet.
Stayawayfromdowned power lines andelectrical wires.
Electrocution is another majorsourceof deaths in floods. Electric
current passeseasilythrough water.
Look out for animals especiallysnakes.Animals losetheir homes in
floods, too. Theymayseek shelter in yours.
AFTERTHEFLOOD:
If your home, apartment or business has suffereddamage, call
theinsurancecompanyor agent whohandles your flood
insurancepolicyright awaytofileaclaim.
Beforeenteringabuilding, check for structuraldamage. Dont go in
if thereis anychanceof thebuildingcollapsing.
Upon enteringthebuilding, do not usematches,cigarettelighters or
anyother open flames, sincegas maybetrapped inside. Instead,
useaflash-light to light your way.
Keep power off until an electrician has inspectedyour systemfor
safety.
Flood waters pick up sewageand chemicals fromroads, farms and
factories. If your homehas been
flooded, protect your familys health bycleaning
up your houseright away. Throwout foodsand medicines that
mayhavecomeinto contactwith flood water.
Until local authorities proclaimyour water
supplyto besafe, boil water for drinkingandfood preparation
vigorouslyfor fiveminutesbeforeusing.
Becareful walkingaround. After aflood,steps and floors areoften
slipperywith mudand covered with debris, includingnails andbroken
glass.
Takesteps to reduceyour risk of futurefloods. Makesureto
followlocal buildingcodes and ordinances when rebuilding,
anduseflood-resistant materials and techniquesto protect yourself
and your propertyfromfutureflood damage.
Oneof themost important things that you can
do to protect your homeand familybeforeafloodis to
purchaseaflood insurancepolicy.
You can obtain onethrough your insurancecompanyor agent. Flood
insuranceis guaranteedthrough theNational Flood
InsuranceProgram(NFIP), administered bytheFederal
EmergencyManagement Agency. Your homeowners insurancedoes not cover
flood damage.
Dont wait until afloodis comingto purchaseyourpolicy. It
normallytakes 30 days after purchaseforaflood insurancepolicyto go
into effect.
For moreinformation about theNFIP and floodinsurance, contact
your insurancecompanyoragent, or call
theNFIPat1-888-CALL-FLOOD,
ext.314.
