IF FLOODING OCCURS

Keep a battery-powered radio tuned to a local station, and follow emergency instructions

• Listen to the advice of local officials, and be prepared to leave if you are told to do so.
• If you are not advised to evacuate, stay indoors, away from windows.
• If the waters start to rise inside your home or business before you have evacuated, retreat to the second floor, the attic, and if necessary, the roof. Take dry clothing, a flashlight and a portable radio with you. Then, wait for help.
• Don't try to swim to safety; wait for rescuers to come to you.
• STAY AWAY FROM FLOOD WATERS! Do not walk through flooded areas. As little as six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.
• AVOID DRIVING if at all possible.
• Do not drive through a flooded area. If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way. If waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car and climb to higher ground. More people drown in their cars than anywhere else.
• Do not drive around a barricade. They are put up for your protection. Turn around and go the other way!
• If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and move to higher ground. Vehicles can be swept away by as little as 2 feet of water.
• NEVER ALLOW CHILDREN TO PLAY AROUND HIGH WATER, storm drains, or
• viaducts.
• Stay away from downed power lines and electrical wires. Electrocution is another major source of deaths in floods. Electric current passes easily through water.
• Look out for animals - especially snakes. Animals lose their homes in floods and may seek shelter in yours. Make sure your pets have collars and identification tags and enough food to last several days.

AFTER THE FLOOD

• If you evacuated, return to your home or business only when local officials advise that it is safe to do so.
• Before entering a building, check for structural damage. Don't go in if there is any chance of the building collapsing.
• Upon entering the building, do not use matches, cigarette lighters or any other open flames, since gas may be trapped inside. Instead, use a flashlight to light your way.
• Keep power off until an electrician has inspected your system for safety.
• If your home, apartment or business has suffered damage, call the insurance company or agent who handles your flood insurance policy right away to file a claim.
• Be careful walking around. After a flood, steps and floors are often slippery with mud and covered with debris, including nails and broken glass.
• TAKE HEALTH PRECAUTIONS. Flood waters pick up sewage and chemicals from roads, farms and factories. If your home has been flooded, protect your family’s health by cleaning up your house right away. Throw out foods and medicines that may have come into contact with flood water.
• Until local authorities proclaim your water supply to be safe, boil water for drinking and food preparation vigorously for five minutes before using.
• Wells should be pumped out and the water tested for purity before drinking. If in doubt, call your local health authority.
• DO NOT VISIT DISASTER AREAS FOLLOWING A FLOOD. Your presence may hamper urgent emergency response and rescue operations.

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