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