Discard items that have come in contact with floodwater, including canned goods, water bottles, plastic utensils and baby bottle nipples. All rights reserved. Turn around, don’t drown. Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Flood safety tips: What to do before, during and after a flood Floods have been wreaking havoc across the globe for centuries now. A flood/flash flood warning means flooding/flash flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area. A flood/flash flood warning means flooding/flash flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area. Listen to local radio, NOAA radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates. Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed. Flash Flood Safety Tips ¢Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Here, a drenched ricksha puller pauses for a photo in ankle-deep water near a market. Make sure your food and water are safe. Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters. If they already have an emergency plan for their household, they should talk about it again with family members so everyone knows what to do if an emergency occurs. Download the free Red Cross Emergency App to receive emergency alerts and information about what to do in case of flooding, as well as locations of open Red Cross shelters. Be especially cautious at night when it’s harder to see flood danger. Take a class and be ready to respond if an emergency strikes. Clean and disinfect everything that was stuck in flooded waters. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross. Heavy rainfall in a short period of time causes water to rise rapidly, elevating the risk of flooding. Almost half of all flash flood fatalities are vehicle related, according to the National Weather Service. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car. Though most people associate hurricanes with wind damage, flooding poses one of the biggest threats from the storms. Flash floods occur with little warning, but flooding can also develop slowly after rain ceases. This includes: Photograph by Ami Vitale, Nat Geo Image Collection, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/flood-safety-tips.html, Sandbags can provide a temporary levee in an emergency. A warning means flooding is occurring or will occur soon. Put outdoor furniture inside and move what you can to the highest points in the home. Follow any evacuation orders. A flood/flash flood watch means a flood/flash flood is possible in your area. Stay away from downed power lines and report them to the power company. Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross. There are 3 easy steps people can take to be “Red Cross Ready” for an emergency: If someone already has a disaster kit, now is the time make sure the food and water is still okay to consume and that copies of important documents are up to date. Heed evacuation warnings. Here are some safety tips to help you prepare for rising waterâand what to do once a flood has begun. Stay out of lower levels and move to higher floors to keep away from flood water. One of the biggest ways to protect yourself and your property is to prepare ahead of time. It can be difficult to tell how deep the water is and what lies underneath the water that could hurt you. Most cars can be swept away by less than two feet of moving water. When the annual monsoon rains come and send the Hooghly River over its banks, rickshas are the best way to get around Kolkata (Calcutta), India. A dehumidifier will help remove excess water and minimize mold damage. If you're driving and approach a water-covered road, turn around. ¢If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground. Construct barriers (levees, beams, floodwalls) to stop floodwater from entering your home. Still avoid moving waterâthe danger decreases only when water levels drop. If you have foreknowledge of a possible flood in your area, you can take steps to prepare your home for the onslaught. Even shallow, moving water can make you fall. If you and your family know what to do in case of flash flood before disaster hits, you are more likely to get to safety and stay there. When in doubt, throw it out. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water. During cleanup, wear protective clothing, including rubber gloves and rubber boots. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. Move immediately to higher ground or stay on high ground. Just 6 inches of water can stall a vehicle, and 2 feet can float most cars, trucks and SUVs. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. Check with local authorities for assistance with disposal to avoid risk. Stay away from floodwaters. Move immediately to higher ground or stay on high ground. Disconnect electrical appliances. Damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards. Materials such as cleaning products, paint, batteries, contaminated fuel and damaged fuel containers are hazardous. Seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage. A watch means flooding is possible. ¢Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away. In 2005, flooding from Hurricane Katrina caused a majority of the damage when old levees failed during the storm. Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today. Hurricane Harvey in 2017 dropped 60 inches of rain in some parts of Texas, creating massive flooding hazards. Do not walk through flooded areas. If power lines are down outside your home, do not step in puddles or standing water. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankles, stop, turn around and go another way. Pay attention to weather forecasts. Yet another round of drenching rainfall is hitting the mid-Atlantic and northeast regions of the country which has already led to flash flooding in some areas. No other kind of natural disaster in the United States has caused more death and destruction than floods. Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gas, or raw sewage. Floods cause power outages, damage infrastructure, trigger landslides, and can be deadly. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines. Watch out for wild animals, especially poisonous snakes that may have come into your home with the floodwater. After a flood, do not attempt to return to affected areas until officials say it is safe to do so. 2020 National Geographic Partners, LLC. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground. Listen to local radio, NOAA radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates. In fact, only last year 1,200 people reportedly died across South East Asia and countless more were devastated in the US by Hurricane Harvey. Charge cell phone batteries and any reusable batteries for flashlights.
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