WINTER FLOOD PREPARATION TIPS

Before A Flood:
• During severe weather, Wireless Emergency Alerts can save your life. Watch how and sign up now!    
• Elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel in your home if you live in an area that has a high flood risk.

To Prevent Flooding in Home: Be sure to follow the following simple preventative measures to keep your basement safe, dry, and mold-free:

1) Make sure your house has proper drainage:
• Make sure roof water flows properly into your gutter system
• Be sure discharge lines are ran properly to the storm sewer
• Be sure there aren't any negative grades around your home

2) Common areas of water intrusion:
• Window wells need to be sealed and free of debris like leaves, acorns, trash, and sticks
• Door 'trench' floor drains need to be able to easily flow

3) Sump pumps
• Must have the right pumping capacity for your home's size
• Must be inspected at least one time per year
• Sump pump needs to have a secure cover to keep out kids, toys, pets, and so on

To Prevent Flooding in Outdoor Areas: Regardless of your home-preservation instincts and DIY spirit, don't ignore evacuation orders to battle rising floodwaters! But if you know that water is coming, are interested in preserving your property and you have the materials and some time, it is possible to erect a resilient earthwork. For a guide to building your own levee, look no further than America's professional levee builders: the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Popular Mechanics details how to build your own home embankment here: http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/how-to/a6715/how-to-build-a-homemade-levee/

During A Flood:
• Listen to the radio, television, or your Weather Radio for information.
• If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.
• Be aware of stream, drainage channels, canyons and other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can occur in these areas with or without typical warnings such as rain clouds or heavy rain
• Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams, rivers or creeks, particularly during threatening conditions.

Evacuation Preparation
1) Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor.
2) Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so. Disconnect electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or standing in water.
3) Make sure you have sturdy footwear and a raincoat. Wear bright and reflective clothing.
4) Stick to Evacuation Routes.

TIPS TO SAVE LIVES:
 Walking: Six inches of moving water can make you fall if it is running fast. If you have to walk in water, walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check the firmness of the ground in front of you.
 Driving: Six inches of water will reach the bottom of many cars, causing loss of control and possible stalling. A foot of water will float many vehicles. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV’s) and pick-up trucks.
 If floodwaters begin to rise around your car, abandon the car and move to higher ground, when water is not moving or not more than a few inches deep. You and the vehicle can be swept away quickly.  If your vehicle is trapped in rapidly moving water, stay in the vehicle. If the water is rising inside the vehicle, seek refuge on the roof.

After a Flood:

Check for damage.  Check for structural damage before re-entering your home.  If you suspect damage to water, gas, electric, or sewer lines, contact authorities.

1) Remove wet contents immediately.  Wet carpeting, furniture, bedding and any other items holding moisture can develop mold within 24 to 48 hours.  Clean and disinfect everything touched by floodwaters. Bleach does not kill mold spores completely.
2) Plan before you repair.  Contact your local building inspections or planning office or your county clerk’s office to get more information on local building requirements.
3) If You File a Flood Insurance Claim.  Be sure to provide: the name of your insurance company, your policy number, and contact information.  Take photos of any water in the house and damaged personal property.  Make a detailed list of all damaged or lost items.