Prepare Now for Possible Flooding Associated With Hurricane Frances
News Release: September 3, 2004
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley urges area residents to take steps to prepare for possible flooding that may occur due to Hurricane Frances which is projected to make landfall in Florida tomorrow (9/4).
In addition to the steps you would normally take in your family disaster plan, there are special considerations for flooding, John Hughes, executive director of the local Red Cross, stated. While experts continue to track Hurricane Frances, we encourage residents to monitor the storms progress and take preparations now to prepare for possible flooding or heavy rains that may affect our area. Prepare for a flood by making a plan, building a kit and taking action.
Make a Plan:
Learn about your areas flood risk and elevation above flood stage.
If you are at risk for floods:
Talk to your insurance agent. Homeowners policies do not cover flooding. Ask about the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Tell everyone in your family where they need to go if you need to evacuate your home in the event of a flood.
Discuss your plan with your family to help reduce fear and anxiety in the event of a flood.
To protect your property:
Have a professional raise your furnace, water heater and electric panel to higher floors or the attic if they are in areas of your home that may be flooded. An undamaged water heater can be a good source of fresh water after a flood.
Install check valves in building sewer traps to prevent flood water from backing up into the drains of your home.
Seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage through cracks.
Keep insurance policies, documents and other valuables in a safe-deposit box. This will make them easily accessible and less likely to be damaged during a flood.
Build a Kit: As always, your family disaster supplies kit is important to have for any kind of disaster, and one should be prepared in advance. The following kit supplies are of greater importance during a flood.
Have a NOAA Weather Radio receiver. NOAA weather radio is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from a nearby National Weather Service office. NOAA Weather Radio receivers can be purchased at many retail stores that sell electronic merchandise.
Have flashlights and extra batteries ready for use. Flashlights are the safest alternative lighting when the electricity is off.
When a flood or flash flood warning is issued:
A flood or flash flood watch means that conditions favor the occurrence of a flood in a particular area. A flood or flash flood might occur, generally within 12 to 36 hours. A flood or flash flood warning means that a flood event is occurring or will occur within about 30 minutes to an hour. Warnings are usually issued by county.
Listen continuously for updated emergency information on your portable radio.
Evacuate immediately if you live in a flood prone area. Move quickly to higher ground and save yourself, not your belongings.
When advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Evacuation is much simpler and safer before flood waters become too deep for vehicles to drive through.
Follow the advice of local authorities, including recommended evacuation routes.
If your home is in a flood prone area:
Fill bathtubs, sinks and plastic bottles with clean water in the event the flood causes water to become contaminated or water service is interrupted.
Bring outdoor belongings, such as patio furniture, indoors.
Move your furniture and valuables to higher floors of your home. If flood waters affect your home, higher floors are less likely to be damaged.
Fill your cars gas tank, in case an evacuation notice is issued. If electric power is cut off, gas stations may not be able to operate pumps for several days.
Take Action:
Stay out of areas subject to flooding, including dips, low spots, canyons, washes, etc. that can become filled with water.
If you are outdoors, move away from flood waters, climb to higher ground and stay there.
If you come upon a flowing stream with water above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Most flood fatalities happen when people try to drive through water, or play in high water. Swiftly moving water only 6 inches high can sweep you off your feet.
If you are driving and come upon rapidly rising waters, turn around and find another route. Pay attention to barricades; driving around them can be a serious risk. Vehicles with large tires, such as trucks and SUVs, are more buoyant and are more likely to float in flood water. So, if you are driving and come upon flood waters, turn around and go another way. Do NOT drive through flood waters.
If your vehicle becomes surrounded by water (or the engine stalls) and if you can safely get out, leave your vehicle immediately, move away from flood waters, and climb to higher ground. Use caution when leaving your vehicle
Flood waters can cause dangerous hazards. During a flood watch or warning, you should be aware of these potential hazards:
Flood waters can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy buildings and bridges and scour out new channels carrying debris. Flood-producing rains can also trigger catastrophic debris slides.
Flood waters can reach depths of 10 to 20 feet and move very quickly. Even shallow flood waters move fast, producing more force than people anticipate. It is very dangerous to try walking, swimming or driving through flood waters. Just two feet of water can carry away most automobiles, including a school bus.
If a flood has affected your home or neighborhood:
When necessary, seek appropriate medical care. Contaminated flood waters lead to a greater possibility of infection. Severe injuries will require medical attention.
Help a neighbor who may require special assistance infants, seniors and people with disabilities.
Avoid disaster areas. Your presence may delay rescue and other emergency operations. You may also put yourself at risk from residual flood related dangers such as contaminated water, unsafe roads, landslides, mudflows and other hazards.
Stay out of any building if flood waters remain around the building. Flood waters often crack and break floors, undermine foundations (causing sinking), and collapse buildings.
Report broken utility lines to the appropriate authorities.
When it is safe to return to your home:
Use extreme caution; wear sturdy shoes; use flashlights or battery-powered lighting when examining buildings; and inspect the structure carefully for signs of possible collapse cracks and damage to a foundation can render a building uninhabitable.
Look for fire hazards; check for gas leaks; look for electrical system damage; check for sewage and waterline damage; and watch for loose plaster, drywall and ceilings that could fall.
Watch out for animals, especially poisonous snakes that may have entered with the flood waters. Use a stick to poke through debris for snakes or other animals flushed out of their homes during the flood.
Take pictures of the damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance claims.
Throw away food that has come in contact with flood waters.
If the purity of your water is questionable, follow the advice of local public health officials on how to treat water, or follow the directions provided in this handout.
Pump out flooded basements gradually to avoid structural damage. Pumping about one-third of the water per day will help to keep the pressure from saturated soil on the outside from causing basement walls to collapse. Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits and leaching systems as soon as possible to avoid health hazards.
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents in Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training and emergency relief services to more than 20,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information about the local Red Cross or volunteer opportunities, visit www.redcrosslv.org.
