HOW TO BEGIN

• Make A Plan
• Build A Kit
• Pack a “Go Bag”
• Safe Place
• First Aid
• Basic CPR
• CERT Training

WHAT TO DO FOR

• Severe Weather
• Home Fires
• Power Outages
• Winter Storms
• Tornado
• Extreme Cold
• Triple Digit Heat
• Deep Water
• Shaky Ground
• Water Safety
• Personal Health

What to Do in Deep Water

Flooding happens quickly and often from the slightest amount of rain or storm run-off. But there are some easy steps to take to protect your home from potential flooding and to protect yourself during flooding conditions.

Five simple steps:

• Know your area’s flood risk. If you don’t, you can contact your local Red Cross chapter, emergency management office, or planning and zoning department.
• Make sure every family member knows what to do in case of a flood and choose a safe meeting place outside of the home using your family communication plan. Practice an evacuation route with your family in the event of flooding.
• If there is water in your home, as soon as it is safe to do so, disconnect all electrical/electronic equipment and move it to a dry location.
• Be extremely cautious when driving, especially if you encounter standing water. Do not attempt to drive through standing water, as it may be much deeper than you expect.
• Be alert to the possibility of flooded streets if it has been raining hard for several hours or steadily raining for several days, and never drive into a flooded street or underpass.

Other steps:

• Clear any drains, gutters and downspouts of debris and make sure your yard’s grading directs water away from your home.
• If you have a basement that takes on water during the rainy season, consider installing a sump pump with a backup power.
• Raise your furnace, water heater, or electric panel if they are in areas of your home that may be flooded.
• Animals lose their homes in floods, too. Be aware that even domesticated animals may be confused and unpredictable in a flood situation.
• Remove as much standing water as possible from inside your home. Begin to remove water-damaged materials immediately.
• Ventilate with fans and/or dehumidifiers.
• Acting quickly can help increase your chances of salvaging usable materials, reduce the amount of rust, rot and mold that might develop, and limit the likelihood of structural problems.
• Be aware that many homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover for some types of flood damage. Contact your personal insurance agent for more information or limitations.