Floods are one of the costliest – and is the most typical natural disasters for families. They normally occur after a hurricane, several days of sustained rain, and thawing snow. Flash floods occur suddenly, mainly caused by rapidly rising water in a low-lying area or along a stream. Being prepared for a flood can speed up the recovery process and minimize injury.
Learn what to do to keep your loved ones safe!
Protecting Your Family
- Gather the family and talk about what to do if a flood warning is announced. Discussing this well ahead of time helps minimize fear, especially for the young ones.
- Keep important documents, insurance policies, and other valuables in a safe deposit box or in any safe place that is less likely to be damaged during a natural disaster. To be on the safe side, take photos of them and keep copies on a flash drive that you can easily keep with you at all times (along with your car or house keys).
Use Sand Bags
Some communities offer free sandbags to residents if a flood is expected. Listen or watch the news so you can access these resources.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency gives the following safety tips for families to prepare for flooding:
- Turn around, don’t drown.
- Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away.
- If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground.
- If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Don’t leave the car and enter moving water.
- Avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly with little warning.
For more information, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics’ page: http://bit.ly/1KauY0b
