Flood

Listen to the radio to find out what areas are affected, what roads are safe, where to go and what to do if the local emergency team asks you to leave your home.

• Keep your emergency kit close at hand, in a portable container such as a duffel bag, backpack, or suitcase with wheels.

If you need to evacuate

• Vacate your home when you are advised to do so by local emergency authorities. Ignoring such a warning could jeopardize the safety of your family or those who might eventually have to come to your rescue.

• Take your emergency kit with you.

• Follow the routes specified by officials. Don't take shortcuts. They could lead you to a blocked or dangerous area.

• Make arrangements for pets.

• Time permitting, leave a note informing others when you left and where you went. If you have a mailbox, leave the note there

Never cross a flooded area

• If you are on foot, fast water could sweep you away.

• If you are in a car, do not drive through flood waters or underpasses. The water may be deeper than it looks and your car could get stuck or swept away by fast water.

• Avoid crossing bridges if the water is high and flowing quickly.

• If you are caught in fast-rising waters and your car stalls, leave it and save yourself and your passengers.

Wait until it is safe to return.

• Monitor NOAA Weather Radio or local television and radio stations.

• Do not return to flooded areas until authorities indicate it is safe to do so.

• Do not visit disaster areas following a flood. Your presence may hamper urgent emergency response and rescue operations.

Travel with care.

• Follow recommended routes. DO NOT sightsee.

• Watch for washed out roads, earth slides, and downed trees or power lines.

• Stay away from downed power lines.

• If a building was flooded, check for safety before entering.

• Do not enter a building if it is still flooded or surrounded by floodwater.

• Check for structural damage. Inspect foundations for cracks or other damage.

• Turn off any outside gas lines at the meter tank.

• Do not enter a building that has flooded until local building officials have inspected it for safety.

Use extreme caution when entering buildings.

• Wear sturdy shoes. The most common injury following a disaster is cut feet.

• Use ONLY battery-powered lighting. Flammable material may be present.

• Look for fire hazards (such as damaged gas lines, flooded electrical circuits, or submerged furnaces).

• Check for gas leaks. If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. If possible turn off the gas at the outside main valve. Call the gas company.

• Report broken utility lines to appropriate authorities.

• Check for electrical system damage (sparks, broken or frayed wires, or the smell of burning insulation). Turn off the electricity at the main circuit breaker if you can reach it without stepping in water.

• Examine walls, floors, doors, windows, and ceilings for risk of collapsing.

• Watch out for animals that might have entered with the floodwaters.

• Let the building air out to remove foul odors or escaping gas.

• Take pictures of the damage, both of the building and its contents, for insurance claims.

Get professional help.

• Seek necessary medical care. Do not neglect minor wounds or illnesses.

• Food, clothing, shelter, and first aid are available from the American Red Cross.

• If the gas has been turned off for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.

• Have an electrician check the electrical system and appliances.

• Wells should be pumped out and the water tested for purity before drinking.

Your home is no longer a safe place.

• Throw away medicine, food, or water that had contact with floodwaters (including canned goods).

• If water is of questionable purity, boil drinking water for 10 minutes.

• Restrict children from playing in flooded areas.

• Keep windows and doors open for ventilation.

• Pump out flooded basements gradually (removing about 1/3 of the water volume each day) to avoid structural damage.

• Keep the power off until an electrician has inspected the system for safety. All electrical equipment should be checked and dried before being returned to service.

• Clean and disinfect everything that got wet.

• Service damaged sewage systems as soon as possible.

• When making repairs, protect your property from future flood damage.

• Follow local building codes.

• Use flood-resistant materials and techniques.

• Elevate electrical components above the potential flood height.

• Elevate utilities (washer, dryer, furnace, and water heater) above the level of anticipated flooding.

• Consider elevation of the entire structure.

• Install a backflow valve in the sewer system.

Here are some videos from Youtube that show you how it looks like.

Credit to the owner of the video