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Disaster Services
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Red Cross Disaster Relief
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Safety
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& Thawing Frozen Pipes
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• Know
your area’s flood risk. If unsure, call
your local Red Cross chapter, emergency
management office, or planning and zoning
department.
• Check
to see if you have insurance that
covers flooding.
If not, find out how to get
flood insurance.
• Reduce
Potential Flood Damage.
Consider
moving valuables to higher floors of your home.
Think about whether you need to raise your
furnace, water heater, and electrical panel if
they are in areas of your that may be flooded.
Consult with a professional for further
information about this and other damage
reduction measures that may be taken.
• Be
alert
to the possibility of a flood.
If it
has been raining hard for several hours, or
steadily for several days. Listen
to a NOAA
Weather Radio and stay tuned to your
local
radio and TV stations for updated storm
information.
• Listen
to local radio or TV stations for
flood information, and follow all instructions
provided
by authorities.
• Prepare
a Family Disaster Plan that
identifies where you could go if
told to
evacuate. The plan should include checking
your homeowner’s or
renter’s insurance to
see if it covers flooding. If not, find out how
to get flood insurance.
Keep insurance policies,
important documents, and valuables in a
safe-deposit box.
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Red Cross Flood Safety Tips
Continued -
• Purchase
or assemble a Disaster Supplies Starter Kit which contains water
(at
least three gallons of per person, non-perishable
or canned food and a can opener, a first
aid kit, essential medications, protective
clothing (rainwear, rubber boots and gloves,
bedding or sleeping bags), a flashlight, extra
batteries, a battery-powered radio, extra
cash, and and specialty items for infants, elderly
or disabled family members. Visit
the
Red Cross On-line Store
• Written
instructions and knowledge of how to turn off electricity, gas and
water
should authorities advise you to do so.
(Remember, you'll need a professional to turn them
back on.)
• Fill
your car’s gas tank in case an evacuation notice is
issued.
Floods Can Take Several Hours to Days to Develop
• A FLOOD WATCH means a flood is possible in your area.
• A FLOOD WARNING means flooding is already occurring or will
occur soon in your area.
Flash Floods Can
Take Only a Few Minutes to a Few Hours to Develop
• A Flash Flood WATCH means flash flooding is possible in
your area.
• A Flash Flood WARNING means a flash flood is occurring or will
occur very soon.
When a Flash
Flood WATCH Is Issued
• Be alert to signs of flash flooding and be ready to
evacuate on a moment's notice.
When a Flash Flood
WARNING Is Issued
• Or if you think it has already started, evacuate
immediately. You may have only seconds
to escape. Act quickly!
• Move to higher
ground away from rivers, streams, creeks, and storm drains. Do not drive
around barricades . . . they are there for your safety.
• If your car
stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately and climb to
higher ground.
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