Flood Safety Tips

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.

Take Action:

• Stay out of areas subject to flooding. 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.. 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.

• Learn about your area’s flood risk and elevation above flood stage.

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.

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.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training; Lifeline, a personal response service for seniors; and emergency relief to more than 20,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information about the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.