Flood Disaster Preparedness

Click Here to learn how to protect your house from basement flooding from the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction

Before A Flood

• Prepare an emergency kit and make a family communications plan. (Click Here)
• Avoid building in floodplains unless structure is elevated and reinforced.
• Elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel.
• Consider installing “check valves” to prevent floodwater back ups.
• Construct barriers to stop floodwater from entering the building and seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds.

Driving Tips

• Six inches of water will stall or cause control issues in most passenger vehicles.
• A foot of water will float many passenger vehicles.
• Two feet of rushing water can carry away most passenger vehicles including SUV’s and pick-ups.
• Never attempt to drive through a flooded road, depth is not always obvious and the roadbed may be washed away under the surface.
• Do not drive around barricades.
• Do not try to take short cuts and stick to designated evacuation routes.
• Avoid driving at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.