Flood Protocol Reading

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/flood-safety-tips#introduction- https://www.ready.gov/floods https://www.habitat.org/our-work/disaster-response/disaster-preparedness-homeowners/floods

Flood Safety Tips Flooding is a leading cause of death in many disasters. Learn how to prepare for a flood, stay safe during a flood, and protect your health when you return home after a flood. Flooding is a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. Failing to evacuate flooded areas or entering flood waters can lead to injury or death.

Floods may: Result from rain, snow, coastal storms, storm surges and overflows of dams and other water systems. Develop slowly or quickly. Flash floods can come with no warning. Cause outages, disrupt transportation, damage buildings and create landslides.

What Are Floods? Flooding is an overflow of water that can range from a few inches deep to fully submerging entire buildings. Flooding can occur when rivers and lakes cannot contain excessive rain or snow melt, or when rain cannot be absorbed fully into the ground. Flooding can also occur when waterways overflow due to debris or ice, when winds from tropical storms or hurricanes cause storm surge in coastal areas, or when water containment systems (such as levees, dams, pipes) break.

What’s the difference between a flood and a flash flood? The distinguishing factor between a flood and a flash flood is the amount of time it takes for the flood to occur. A flash flood occurs within minutes or hours. A flood occurs more gradually. Flash floods are often more dangerous because they occur with little warning. Their quick nature makes them much more powerful than floods, and they often become raging torrents of water, sweeping away everything in their path.

Flood Watches and Warnings It is important to understand the difference between watch and warning so you know what to do to stay safe. Flood Watch or Flash Flood Watch Flooding or flash flooding in your area is possible. Pay attention to changing weather and flood conditions, and be prepared to move to higher ground. Flood Warning Flooding is occurring or about to occur. Avoid low lying areas and if necessary, evacuate. Flash Flood Warning A flash flood is occurring or about to occur. Seek higher ground immediately.

If you are under a flood warning: - Find safe shelter right away. - Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown! - Remember, just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away. - Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Depending on the type of flooding: - Evacuate if told to do so. - Move to higher ground or a higher floor. - Stay where you are.

Preparing for a Flood Make a plan for your household, including your pets, so that you and your family know what to do, where to go, and what you will need to protect yourselves from flooding. Learn and practice evacuation routes, shelter plans, and flash flood response. Gather supplies, including non-perishable foods, cleaning supplies, and water for several days, in case you must leave immediately or if services are cut off in your area.

In Case of Emergency Keep important documents in a waterproof container. Create password-protected digital copies. Protect your property. Move valuables to higher levels. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves. Consider a sump pump with a battery.

Additional considerations for COVID-19 Unless you live in a mandatory evacuation zone, it is recommended that you make a plan to shelter-in-place in your home, if it is safe to do so. If you live in a mandatory evacuation zone, make a plan with friends or family to shelter with them where you will be safer and more comfortable. Only evacuate to shelters if you are unable to shelter at home or with family or friends. Note that your regular shelter may not be open this year. Check with local authorities for the latest information about public shelters.

Staying Safe During a Flood - Evacuate immediately, if told to evacuate. Never drive around barricades. Local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas. - Contact your healthcare provider If you are sick and need medical attention. Wait for further care instructions and shelter in place, if possible. - Listen to Weather Radio or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions regarding flooding. - Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around. Don’t Drown! - Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away without warning. - Stay inside your car if it is trapped in rapidly moving water. Get on the roof if water is rising inside the car. - Get to the highest level if trapped in a building. Only get on the roof if necessary and once there signal for help. Do not climb into a closed attic to avoid getting trapped by rising floodwater.

Staying Safe After a Flood - Pay attention to authorities for information and instructions. Return home only when authorities say it is safe. - Avoid driving except in emergencies. - Wear heavy work gloves, protective clothing and boots during clean up and use appropriate face coverings or masks if cleaning mold or other debris. - People with asthma and other lung conditions and/or immune suppression should not enter buildings with indoor water leaks or mold growth that can be seen or smelled. Children should not take part in disaster cleanup work. - Be aware that snakes and other animals may be in your house. - Be aware of the risk of electrocution. Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you are standing in water. Turn off the electricity to prevent electric shock if it is safe to do so. - Avoid wading in floodwater, which can be contaminated and contain dangerous debris. Underground or downed power lines can also electrically charge the water. - Use a generator or other gasoline-powered machinery ONLY outdoors and away from windows.